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...PICTORIAL  HISTORY... 

OF 

OUR  WAR  WITH  SPAIN 


A  THRILLING  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  LAND  AND  NAVAL  OPERATIONS 

OF   AMERICAN    SOLDIERS   AND    SAILORS    IN    OUR   WAR 

WITH  SPAIN,  AND  THE  HEROIC  STRUGGLES  OF 

CUBAN  PATRIOTS  AGAINST  SPANISH  TYRANNY. 


INCLUDING  A  DESCRIPTION  AND  HioTORY  OF  CUBA,  SPAIN,  PHIL- 
IPPINE   ISLANDS,    OUR   ARMY    AND    NAVY,    FIGHTING 
STRENGTH,  COAST  DEFENSES,  AND  OUR  RELA- 
TIONS WITH  OTHER  NATIONS,  ETC.,  ETC. 


TRUMBULL  WHITE, 

THE   WELL   KNOWN   AND   POPULAR   AUTHOR,    HISTORIAN 
AND   WAR   CORRESPONDENT. 


ELABORATELY  ILLUSTRATED  WITH  PHOTOGRAPHS  AND   DRAW- 
INGS OF  BATTLES,  ON  SEA  AND  LAND,  WAR 
SHIPS,  ETC.,  FROM  LIFE. 


MANUFACTURED    AND    SOLD    BY 

MONARCH    BOOK    COMPANY, 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  PHILADELPHIA.  PA. 


I/ 

I 

. 


COPYRIGHTED 


BY 


K.    T.    BO  LAND 
1898 


CKAKPTON 
•AMCROFT  UBBAIY 


<S>ur  Hmertcan  IDolunteera 


GENERAL   JOSEPH   C.  WHEELER 


GENERAL   WESLEY    MERRITT 


THEODORE  ROOSEVELT 


GENERAL   JOHN   R.  BROOKE 


CAPTAIN-GENERAL  AUGUSTI 


ADMIRAL   CAMARA 


PREFACE. 


Information  concerning  the  island  of  Cuba  has  been  of  an  exceed- 
ingly unsatisfactory  character  until  the  search-light  of  American 
inquiry  was  thrown  upon  it  from  the  beginning  of  the  war  for  Cuban 
liberty  early  in  1895.  Although  our  next-door  neighbor  to  the  south, 
with  a  perfect  winter  climate  and  a  host  of  interesting  and  picturesque 
attractions  for  travelers,  tourists  had  been  comparatively  fe\v, 
measured  by  the  numbers  that  might  have  been  expected.  All  of  the 
reasons  for  this  were  those  which  naturally  followed  the  characteristic 
Spanish  rule  of  the  island.  Publicity  was  not  welcomed,  inquiry  was 
not  welcomed,  travelers  were  not  welcomed.  The  cities  and  the 
accommodations  they  offered  were  in  many  ways  far  behind  those  of 
like  a.ge  and  size  in  the  other  countries  of  the  globe.  Kailway  construc- 
tion and  the  making  of  highways  had  lagged  disgracefully,  because 
the  exorbitant  taxes  collected  were  looted  by  the  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment as  their  own  spoils.  No  other  country  so  near  to  the  highways  of 
ocean  commerce  and  so  accessible  from  the  United  States  was  so  little 
known. 

A  few  travelers  had  journeyed  to  Cuba  and  had  written  books 
descriptive  of  their  experiences,  which  were  read  with  interest  by  those 
who  had  access  to  them.  But  these  books  were  usually  simply  descrip- 
tive of  the  people,  the  manner  of  life,  the  scenery,  and  the  things  of 
surface  interest.  It  is  proverbial  that  Spanish  rule  conceals  the  re- 
sources of  a  country  instead  of  exploiting  them.  The  person  of  inquir- 
ing mind  had  no  way  in  Cuba  to  obtain  prompt  information  concerning 
the  material  facts  of  the  island's  wealth  of  resource,  because  the 
Spanish  authorities  themselves  knew  nothing  about  it.  Spanish 
statistics  are  notoriously  unreliable  and  incomplete.  No  census  of 
Cuba  worthy  the  name  ever  has  been  taken,  and  there  are  few  schools 
and  few  sources  of  accurate  information.  With  all  this  handicap  it 
was  a  foregone  conclusion  that  the  casual  traveler  should  confine  him- 
self to  the  things  that  were  visible  and  that  were  near  to  the  usual 
paths  of  travelers.  So  until  the  beginning  of  the  Cuban  war  for  liberty 
no  book  could  be  obtained  which  told  the  things  which  one  really  cares 

i* 


14  PKEFACE. 

to  know.  Picturesque  descriptions  there  were,  more  than  one,  of  con- 
siderable interest,  but  the  information  was  scattered. 

Demand  always  creates  supply,  even  if  material  is  scant.  When 
the  war  began,  the  people  of  the  United  States  wanted  to  know  some- 
thing of  the  people  who  were  striving  for  their  freedom,  of  their 
characteristics,  their  conditions  and  their  personality.  Moreover,  it 
was  an  immediate  necessity  to  know  the  geography  of  Cuba,  its  history, 
its  natural  conditions,  its  material  resources,  and  a  host  of  things  that 
unite  to  make  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  any  country.  There  were 
men  who  knew  Cuba  from  years  of  residence  there  in  industrial  and 
commercial  enterprises.  They  were  drawn  upon  for  their  knowledge. 
Then  the  newspapers  of  the  United  States  gave  another  demonstration 
of  their  unvarying  enterprise  and  covered  the  points  of  interest  in  the 
insurrection  most  exhaustively.  Their  correspondents  shared  the 
camps  of  insurgent  chiefs,  witnessed  the  daring  machete  charges  of  the 
Cubans,  saw  every  detail  of  armed  life  in  the  field.  Others  kept  close 
watch  of  the  movements  of  the  Spanish  forces  in  Havana  and  the 
fortified  towns,  as  well  as  in  the  field.  One  was  shot  in  action.  Another 
was  macheted  to  death  after  his  capture,  by  a  Spanish  officer  who 
waited  only  to  be  sure  that  the  prisoner  was  an  American  before 
ordering  him  to  death.  Others  were  incarcerated  in  Morro  and 
Cabanas  fortresses  and  in  the  other  Spanish  prisons  in  Cuba  because 
they  insisted  on  telling  the  truth  to  America  and  the  world.  They 
were  the  ones  who  told  of  the  horrors  of  reconcentration  under  that 
infamous  order  of  Captain  General  Weyler.  They  have  been  the  real 
historians  of  Cuba. 

It  is  to  all  of  these  sources  and  others  that  the  information  con- 
tained in  the  present  volume  is  owed.  The  writer  takes  pleasure  in 
acknowledging  the  courteous  permission  to  use  salient  facts  contained 
in  some  volumes  of  merit  published  prior  to  this  time.  But  more  than 
all  the  obligation  is  to  the  newspaper  correspondents  who  worked  with 
him  in  Cuba  in  the  days  when  the  war  was  but  an  insurrection  and 
afterward  when  the  insurrection  became  our  own  war  against  Spain 
for  the  liberty  of  Cuba.  They  are  the  ones  who  have  gathered  the 
most  exhaustive  information  on  the  whole  subject  of  Cuban  affairs. 
They  have  been  able  by  virtue  of  their  intimate  knowledge  of  Cuba  and 
the  Cubans  to  be  of  invaluable  assistance  to  the  commanders  of  army 
and  navy  alike,  not  only  in  advice  as  to  the  forming  of  plans,  but  in 
executing  them.  One  who  has  seen  the  things  knows  that  to  exag- 


PEEFACE.  15 

gerate  the  horrors  of  Spanish  cruelty  and  the  oppression  of  Spanish 
rule  in  Cuba  is  an  impossibility.  No  newspaper  could  have  printed 
the  plain  truth  of  a  score  of  shocking  affairs,  simply  because  the  public 
prints  are  no  place  for  the  exploiting  of  such  tales  of  vicious  crime 
against  humanity  as  have  been  perpetrated.  The  most  sensational 
tales  have  never  reached  the  limits  of  the  truth. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  reader  will  find  in  this  volume  not  only  a  com- 
prehensive current  history  of  our  war  with  Spain  for  Cuba's  freedom, 
but  also  much  of  the  other  mattter  that  will  be  of  interest  and  value 
in  considering  the  future  of  the  liberated  island.  Its  history,  its  people, 
its  resources  and  other  salient  subjects  are  included,  with  certain  matter 
on  Spain  and  her  own  affairs,  with  Puerto  Rico  and  the  Philippine 
islands,  which  chapters  serve  to  make  the  volume  a  work  for  general 
reference  and  reading  on  the  whole  subject  of  the  war. 


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LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Photograph  Group — President  McKinley  and  His  Cabinet. 

Photograph  Group — Dewey,  Sampson,  Evans,  Schley,  and  Gridley. 

Photograph  Group — Shafter,  Merritt,  Wheeler,  Brooke  and  Koosevelt. 

Photograph  Group — Sagasta,  Weyler,  Don  Carlos,  August!  and  Camara. 

Fierce  Fighting  at  El  Caney,  showing  the  Block  House. 

Services  at  the  Burial  of  the  "Maine"  Victims. 

Headquarters  of  Cuban  Patriots — Key  West. 

Cuban  Soldiers  and  Recruiting  Officer  in  the  Insurgent  Army — Cuba. 

A  Cuban  Home. 

Harbor  View — San  Juan. 

Panoramic  View  of  San  Juan. 

Main  Business  Street  in  Manila. 

Patrol  Boats  Guarding  American  Fleet  at  Night. 

The  Heroic  Dash  of  the  Seventy-First  New  York  Volunteers. 

An  Artillery  Dash. 

Troop  Transports  leaving  San  Francisco  for  Manila. 

Field  Practice  with  Artillery  and  Surgical  Work. 

Clara  Barton  and  Her  Work  in  a  Cuban  Hospital. 

U.  S.  Artillery  to  the  Front. 

Captain  Sigsbee  of  the  Ill-fated  "Maine." 

General  Stewart  L.  Woodford — Late  TJ.  S.  Minister  to  Spain. 

General  Nelson  A.  Miles. 

United  States  Soldiers  Marching  to  the  Front. 

General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  Ex-Consul  General  to  Havana. 

General  Fitzhugh  Lee's  Departure  from  Havana  before  the  War. 

General  Maximo  Gomez. 

General  Maceo. 

The  Battleship  "Maine"  Previous  to  Her  Destruction. 

Harbor  of  Havana,  showing  Ports,  Sand  Batteries,  etc. 

Morro  Castle  and  Fortress — Havana. 

City  of  Havana  and  Harbor. 

The  Harbor  Entrance  to  Havana. 

Machine  Gun  and  Operator. 

Admiral  Cervera. 

A  Common  Scene  in  Havana. 

Blanco. 

21 


22  LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

A  Street  Scene  among  the  Poor — Cuba. 
Alfonso,  King  of  Spain. 
Royal  Palace — Madrid. 
Hotel  Inglaterre  and  Central  Park — Havana. 
The  Valley  of  Yumuri— Cuba. 
Armored  Cruiser  "New  York." 
Armored  Cruiser  "Brooklyn." 
Battleship  "Oregon." 
Battleship  "Texas." 
Battleship  "Iowa." 
Forward  Deck  of  the  "Indiana." 
Coastline  Battleship  "Indiana." 
Coastline  Battleship  "Massachusetts." 
Naval  Battle  at  Manila. 
Double-Turreted  Monitor  "Terror." 
Wreck  of  the  Battleship  "Maine." 

Battle  of  Mobile  Bay,  where  Dewey  got  His  First  Experience  in  Naval  War- 
fare. 

Protected  Cruiser  "Minneapolis." 
Protected  Cruiser  "San  Francisco." 
Protected  Cruiser  "Boston." 
Protected  Cruiser  "Atlanta." 
Gunboat  "Nashville." 
Gunboat  "Yorktown." 
Torpedo  Boat  "Ericsson." 
Dispatch  Boat  "Dolphin." 
Gunboat  "Concord." 
Protected  Cruiser  "Chicago." 
Protected  Cruiser  "Columbia." 
Protected  Cruiser  "Philadelphia." 
Clara  Barton,  the  Angel  of  the  Sick-room. 
Departure  of  Third  Relief  for  Manila. 
Lieutenant  Hobson  and  the  Scenes  of  his  Heroic  Exploits. 
Entrance  to  Harbor — Santiago  de  Cuba. 
Destruction  of  Cervera's  Fleet. 

A  Cuban  Cavalry  Surprising  and  Capturing  a  Spanish  Camp. 
Heroic  Dash  of  American  Soldiers  Near  Santiago. 
The  Company  Cook — Colored. 
Types  of  the  Philippines — No.  1. 
Types  of  the  Philippines — No.  2. 
A  Sugar  Factory  in  Manila. 
Lamp — Helio. 

Scene  in  the  Turret  of  a  Battleship  during  Engagement. 
Nickel  Steel  Ingot  for  Tube  of  a  16-inch  Breech-Loading  Rifle. 
Cast-Iron  Projectiles. 
Loading  Siege  Guns  on  Transports 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Chapter  Page 

I.  A  War  for  Liberty  and  Humanity 33 

II.  How  Columbus  Found  the  "Pearl  of  the  Antilles" 63 

III.  Spain's  Black  Historical  Record 73 

IV.  Buccaneering  in  the  Spanish  Main 83 

V.  Commercial  Development  of  Cuba 94 

VI.  Beauties  of  a  Tropical  Island 109 

VII.  Wealth  from  Nature's  Store  in  the  Forest  and  Fields  of  Cuba.  116 

VIII.  The  Cubans  and  How  They  Live 124 

IX.  Havana,  the  Island  Metropolis 133 

X.  The  Cities  of  Cuba 139 

XI.  Mutterings  of  Insurrection 151 

XII.  Outbreak  of  the  Ten  Years'  War 156 

XIII.  Massacre  of  the  Virginius  Officers  and  Crew 159 

XIV.  Operations  of  the  Ten  Years'  War 168 

XV.  The  Peace  of  Zanjon  and  Its  Violated  Pledges 171 

XVI.  Preparations  for  Another  Rebellion 175 

XVII.  The  Cuban  Junta  and  Its  Work 179 

XVIII.  Key  West  and  the  Cubans 191 

XIX.  Another  Stroke  for  Freedom 196 

XX.  Jose  Marti  and  Other  Cuban  Heroes 205 

XXI.  Desperate  Battles  with  Machete  and  Rifle 211 

XXII.  Filibusters  from  Florida 218 

XXIII.  Weyler  the  Butcher '. 226 

XXIV.  Cuba  Under  the  Scourge 233 

XXV.  Fitzhugh  Lee  to  the  Front 240 

XXVI.  Americans  in  Spanish  Dungeons 245 

XXVII.  Maceo  Dead  by  Treachery 254 

XXVIII.  Weyler's  Reconcentration  Policy  and  Its  Horrors 257 

XXIX.  American  Indignation  Growing 269 

XXX,  Outrages  on  Americans  in  Cuba 279 

21 


24  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 

Chapter  Page 

XXXI.     McKinley  Succeeds  Cleveland 286 

XXXII.     The  Case  of  Evangelina  Cisneros 294 

XXXIII.  Work  of  Clara  Barton  and  the  Red  Cross 301 

XXXIV.  The  Catastrophe  to  the  Maine 308 

XXXV.     Patience  at  the  Vanishing  Point 314 

XXXVI.     Events  in  the  American  Congress 320 

XXXVII.     President  McKinley  Acts 324 

XXXVIII.     Strength  of  the  Opposing  Squadron  and  Armies 331 

XXXIX.     Battleships  and  Troops  Begin  to  Move 348 

XL.     Diplomatic  Relations  Terminate 356 

XLI.     First  Guns  and  First  Prizes  of  the  War 361 

XLII.     Declaration  of  War 367 

XLIII.     Call  for  the  National  Guard,  Our  Citizen  Soldiery 372 

XLIV.     Blockade  of  Cuban  Ports 378 

XLV.     Spanish  Dissensions  at  Home 383 

XLVI.  The  Philippines,  Puerto  Rico,  and  Other  Colonies  of  Spain . . .  395 

XLVII.     Progress  of  Hostilities 408 

XLVIII.     Sea  Fight  off  Manila,  Americans  Victorious 415 

XLIX.     Hawaii,  and  Our  Annexation  Policy 430 

L.     Continued  Success  for  American  Soldiers  and  Sailors 443 

LI.     The  Invasion  of  Puerto  Rico 503 

LII.     The,  Surrender  of  Manila 510 

LIIL     Victorious  Close  of  the  War 523 

LIV.    Personal  Reminiscences .  530 


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INTRODUCTION. 


When,  on  the  22d  day  of  April,  1898,  Michael  Mallia,  gun -captain  of 
the  United  States  cruiser  Nashville,  sent  a  shell  across  the  bows  of  the 
Spanish  ship  Buena  Ventura,  he  gave  the  signal  shot  that  ushered  in  a 
war  for  liberty  for  the  slaves  of  Spain. 

The  world  has  never  seen  a  contest  like  it.  Nations  have  fought  for 
territory  and  for  gold,  but  they  have  not  fought  for  the  happiness  of 
others.  Nations  have  resisted  the  encroachments  of  barbarism,  but 
until  the  nineteenth  century  they  have  not  fought  to  uproot  barbarism 
and  cast  it  out  of  its  established  place.  Nations  have  fought  to  pre- 
serve the  integrity  of  their  own  empire,  but  they  have  not  fought  a 
foreign  foe"  to  set  others  free.  Men  have  gone  on  crusades  to  fight  for 
holy  tombs  and  symbols,  but  armies  have  not  been  put  in  motion  to 
overthrow  vicious  political  systems  and  regenerate  iniquitous  govern- 
ments for  other  peoples. 

For  more  than  four  centuries  Spain  has  held  the  island  of  Cuba  as 
her  chattel,  and  there  she  has  revelled  in  corruption,  and  wantoned  in 
luxury  wrung  from  slaves  with  the  cruel  hand  of  unchecked  power. 
She  has  been  the  unjust  and  merciless  court  of  last  resort.  From  her 
malignant  verdict  there  has  been  no  possible  appeal,  no  power  to  which 
her  victims  could  turn  for  help. 

But  the  end  has  come  at  last.  The  woe,  the  grief,  the  humiliation, 
the  agony,  the  despair  that  Spain  has  heaped  upon  the  helpless,  and 
multiplied  in  the  world  until  the  world  is  sickened  with  it,  will  be 
piled  in  one  avalanche  on  her  own  head. 

Liberty  has  grown  slowly.  Civilization  has  been  on  the  defensive. 
Now  liberty  fights  for  liberty,  and  civilization  takes  the  aggressive  in 
the  holiest  war  the  world  has  even  known. 

Never  was  there  a  war  before  in  which  so  many  stimulating  deeds  of 
bravery  were  done  in  such  a  short  time,  and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact 
that  the  public  has  been  restless  for  more  action.  It  is  almost  worth  a 
war  to  have  inscribed  such  a  deed  of  cool,  intelligent  heroism  as  that 
of  Hobson  and  his  men  with  the  Merrimac,  in  the  entrance  to  the  harbor 
of  Santiago  de  Cuba.  That  is  an  event  in  world  history,  one  never  to  be 
forgotten,  and  in  the  countries  of  Europe  quite  as  generously  recognized 
as  by  our  own  people.  There  is  a  word  to  say  for  the  Spanish  admiral. 

27 


28  INTEODUCTION". 

In  his  chivalry  after  that  act  of  heroism,  Cervera  proved  himself  a 
worthy  adversary,  who  could  realize  and  admire  bravery  in  a  foe,  even 
when  it  had  been  directed  against  himself  with  such  signal  success. 
Not  every  commander  would  be  great  enough  in  that  circumstance  to 
send  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  opposing  admiral,  in  order  to  inform  him  that 
his  brave  men  were  safe  and  that  they  were  honored  as  brave  men  by 
their  captors. 

Of  another  sort  was  the  bravery  of  Dewey  at  Manila,  more  notable 
in  its  results  but  in  no  other  way  surpassing  that  of  Hobson  and  his 
men.  Dewey  went  forward  in  spite  of  unknown  dangers  of  torpedoes, 
to  engage  an  enemy  in  the  place  it  had  selected  as  most  favorable  for 
Spanish  arms,  an  enemy  with  more  ships,  more  men,  more  guns  than 
had  the  American.  A  day  later  the  nation  was  at  the  feet  of  Dewey 
and  the  United  States  had  taken  a  position  among  the  powers  of  the 
world  never  before  admitted  by  them.  In  larger  degree  than  ever 
before,  from  that  moment  the  United  States  became  a  factor  in  the 
international  history  of  the  world.  At  this,  writing  one  cannot  tell 
what  will  be  the  end  of  the  relations  of  the  United  States  to  the  Philip- 
pines and  the  Orient,  but  the  solution  cannot  fail  to  be  of  profit  to  this 
nation.  This  was  a  holy  war  for  the  liberty  of  Cuba,  but  like  many 
another  good  deed  it  is  bringing  its  additional  rewards.  Cuba,  Puerto 
Rico,  the  Philippines  and  the  Caroline  islands  are  to  be  liberated,  four 
colonies  of  Spain  instead  of  one,  and  the  direct  and  indirect  profit, 
looked  at  from  a  purely  commercial  basis,  will  be  far  more  than  enough 
to  compensate  the  United  States  for  the  cost  of  the  war.  The  annexa- 
tion of  the  Hawaiian  islands  as  a  war  measure  must  be  credited  to  the 
same  cause,  for  the  success  of  that  effort  under  any  other  circumstances 
was  problematical. 

Yet  another  sort  of  bravery  was  that  in  the  harbor  of  Cardenas  when 
the  little  torpedo  boat  Winslow  lay  a  helpless  hulk  under  the  rain  of 
fire  from  the  shore  batteries,  without  rudder  or  engine  to  serve,  and 
the  Hudson,  a  mere  tugboat  with  a  few  little  guns  on  deck,  stood  by 
for  forty  minutes  to  pass  a  hawser  and  tow  the  disabled  vessel  out  of 
range.  Both  were  riddled,  the  Winslow  had  half  her  total  complement 
of  men  killed  and  wounded  by  a  single  shell,  but  there  was  no  faltering, 
and  they  all  worked  away  as  coolly  as  if  nothing  were  happening. 

If  one  started  to  catalogue  the  instances  of  personal  bravery  that 
the  war  brought  out  in  its  first  few  months,  the  list  would  be  a  cum- 
bersome one.  It  is  enough  here  to  say  that  there  have  been  a  hundred 


INTKODUCTION.  29 

times  when  personal  courage  was  needed  to  be  shown,  and  never  a 
moment's  hesitancy  on  the  part  of  any  man  to  whom  the  call  came. 
Furthermore,  in  every  case  in  which  a  particularly  hazardous  under- 
taking was  contemplated,  and  volunteers  were  called  for,  the  number 
offering  has  been  in  every  instance  far  more  than  was  needed.  This 
was  eminently  notable  on  the  occasion  of  Hobson's  sinking  of  the 
Merrimac,  when  more  than  a  thousand  in  the  fleet  volunteered  for  a 
service  requiring  but  six,  and  from  which  it  seemed  impossible  that  any 
could  come  out  alive. 

The  public  must  know  all  about  the  war,  and  the  only  avenue  of 
information  is  the  press.  Never  before  has  any  war  been  covered  as 
to  its  news  features  with  the  accuracy  and  energy  which  have 
characterized  this.  American  journalism  has  outstripped  the  world. 
The  expense  of  a  news  service  for  this  war  is  something  enormous,  with 
little  return  compensation.  Yet  the  work  is  done,  metropolitan  papers 
have  from  ten  to  twenty  correspondents  in  the  field,  and  the  public 
has  the  benefit.  Dispatch  boats  follow  the  fleets  and  are  present  at 
every  battle.  They  must  be  near  enough  to  see,  which  means  that  they 
are  in  as  much  danger  at  times  as  are  the  ships  of  the  fighting  squadron, 
far  more  if  one  remembers  that  the  former  are  in  no  way  protected. 
Some  of  them  are  heavy  sea-going  tugs  and  others  are  yachts.  The 
expense  of  charter,  insurance  and  running  cost  amounts  to  from  $200 
to  f  400  a  day  each,  and  yet  some  metropolitan  newspapers  have  fleets 
of  these  boats  to  the  number  of  six. 

All  the  foregoing  facts  are  related  in  detail  in  the  volume  which 
these  paragraphs  introduce.  The  only  object  in  reiterating  them  here  is 
that  they  are  entitled  to  emphasis  for  their  prominence,  and  it  is  desired 
to  call  special  attention  to  them  and  their  accompanying  matter  when 
the  book  itself  shall  be  read.  The  number  of  those  who  believe  we 
are  engaged  in  a  righteous  war  is  overwhelming.  The  records  of  the 
brave  deeds  of  our  men  afloat  and  ashore  will  inspire  Americans  to  be 
better  citizens  as  long  as  time  shall  last.  The  country  has  proven  its 
faith  in  the  cause  by  giving  to  the  needs  of  war  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  young  men  to  fight  for  the  liberty  of  others.  From  every  corner  of 
the  land  regiments  of  volunteer  soldiers  have  sprung  in  an  instant  at 
the  call  of  the  President,  while  as  many  more  are  waiting  for  another 
call  to  include  those  for  whom  there  was  not  room  the  first  time.  The 
country  which  can  show  such  an  inspiring  movement  has  little  to  fear 
in  the  race  of  progress  among  the  nations  of  the  world. 


w 
2 

o 

X 


PANORAMIC  VIEW  OF  SAN  JUAN 


HARBOR  VIEW,  SAN  JUAN 


OUR  WAR  WITH  SPAIN. 

CHAPTER  I. 
A    WAR    FOR    LIBERTY    AND    HUMANITY. 

Again  at  War  with  a  Foreign  Power — Spain's  Significant  Flag — Three  Years 
Without  an  American  Flag  in  Cuban  Waters — Visit  of  the  Maine  to 
Havana  Harbor — The  Maine  Blown  Up  by  Submerged  Mine — Action 
of  President  and  Congress — Spain  Defies  America — Martial  Spirit 
Spreading — First  Guns  Are  Fired — Cuban  Ports  Blockaded — Many 
Spanish  Ships  Captured — -Excitement  in  Havana — Spain  and  the 
United  States  Both  Declare  War — Internal  Dissension  Threatens  Spain 
— President  McKinley  Calls  a  Volunteer  Army. 

Civilization  against  barbarism,  freedom  against  oppression,  educa- 
tion against  ignorance,  progress  against  retrogression,  the  West  against 
the  East,  the  United  States  against  Spain.  In  this  cause  the  flag  of 
freedom  was  again  unfurled  in  the  face  of  a  foreign  foe,  and  our  nation 
entered  war  against  the  people  of  another  land,  carrying  the  star 
spangled  banner  through  successive  victories  in  the  name  of  liberty  and 
humanit}7. 

It  is  a  proud  banner,  which  stands  the  whole  world  over  for  freedom 
and  right,  with  few  stains  of  defeat  or  injustice  upon  its  folds.  The 
great  heart  of  the  nation  swelled  with  pride  at  the  righteousness  of  the 
cause,  with  an  assurance  that  eternal  history  would  praise  America 
for  the  unselfish  work.  On  land  and  sea  the  boys  in  blue  gave  new 
fame  to  the  flag,  and  their  proud  record  in  the  past  was  more  than 
justified  by  the  honors  that  they  won. 

Two  wars  with  Great  Britain  and  one  with  Mexico  were  the  more 
notable  predecessors  of  this  conflict  with  Spain.  If  to  these  should 
be  added  the  hostilities  between  the  United  States  and  the  Barbary 
pirates  of  Algiers,  Morocco  and  Tripoli,  and  the  scattered  brushes  wTith 
two  or  three  Oriental  and  South  American  countries,  the  list  might  be 
extended.  But  those  affairs  are  not  rememberer!  as  wars  in  the  true 
sense  of  the  word. 

33 


34  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

Except  for  protection  against  Indian  outbreaks,  the  United  States 
had  been  at  peace  for  thirty  years,  when  the  war  cloud  began  to  loom 
in  the  horizon.  It,  was  with  a  full  realization  of  the  blessings  of  peace 
that  the  American  people  yielded  to  the  demands  of  humanity  and 
righteous  justice,  to  take  up  arms  again  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  There 
wTas  no  haste,  no  lack  of  caution,  no  excited  plunge  into  hostilities  with- 
out proper  grounds.  The  nation  made  sure  that  it  was  right.  An  intol- 
erable condition  of  affairs  resulting  from  years  of  agony  in  a  neighbor 
island,  with  half  a  dozen  immediate  reasons,  any  one  sufficient,  was  the 
absolute  justification  for  this  holy  war. 

Spain  is  the  Turk  of  the  West.  Spain  is  an  obsolete  nation.  Living 
in  the  past,  and  lacking  cause  for  pride  to-day,  she  gloats  over  her 
glorious  explorations  and  her  intellectual  prowess  of  the  middle  ages 
when  much  of  Europe  was  in  darkness.  Then  Spain's  flag  led  pioneers 
throughout  the  world.  But  her  pride  was  based  on  achievements,  man}7 
of  which,  to  the  people  of  any  other  nation,  would  have  been  the  disgrace 
of  its  history.  No  indictment  of  Spain  can  ever  be  more  severe,  more 
scathing,  if  its  true  significance  be  considered,  than  the  famous  phrase 
which  one  of  her  proudest  poets  created  to  characterize  her  flag  of  red 
and  yellow. 

"Sangre  y  oro,"  he  said,  "blood  and  gold — a  stream  of  gold  between 
two  rivers  of  blood." 

It  is  almost  a  sufficient  characterization  to  indicate  the  whole  na- 
tional spirit  of  Spain,  to  recall  that  this  phrase  is  the  proud  expres- 
sion used  by  the  Spanish  people  to  glorify  their  own  flag.  That  senti- 
ment is  in  no  stronger  contrast  to  the  American  phrase,  "the  star-span- 
gled banner,"  than  are  the  people  of  Spain  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States. 

"Remember  the  Maine." 

From  the  day  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Cuban  revolution,  early  in  1895, 
until  nearly  the  end  of  January,  1898,  there  had  been  no  flag  of  the 
United  States  seen  in  any  harbor  of  Cuba  except  upon  merchant  vessels. 
Always  before,  it  had  been  the  policy  of  our  government  to  have  ships 
of  wrar  make  friendly  calls  in  the  harbors  of  all  countries  of  the  world 
at  frequent  intervals,  and  Cuban  waters  had  shared  these  courtesies. 

So  careful  were  the  officers  of  the  Cleveland  administration  to  avoid 
the  appearance  of  offense  or  threat  against  the  authority  of  Spain,  with 
which  we  were  living  in  amity,  that  immediately  upon  the  outbreak 
of  hostilities  in  Cuba  this  practice  was  suspended,  so  far  as  it  applied 


A  WAR  FOB  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  35 

to  that  island.  Our  ships  cruised  through  the  oceans  of  the  world  and 
called  at  all  ports  where  they  were  not  needed,  but  the  waters  of 
Havana  harbor  for  three  years  were  never  disturbed  by  an  Amer- 
ican keel. 

Out  of  deference  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  local  Spanish  author- 
ities in  Havana,  Dr.  Burg-ess,  the  splendid  surgeon  of  the  United  States 
Marine  Hospital  service  in  Havana,  who  for  thirty  years  has  guarded 
our  southern  ports  from  the  epidemics  of  yellow  fever  and  smallpox, 
which  would  invade  us  annually  as  a  result  of  Spanish  misgovernment 
in  Cuba,  except  for  his  watchfulness,  ceased  flying  the  American  flag  on 
his  steam  launch,  by  means  of  which  he  carried  out  his  official  duties 
in  those  foul  waters.  The  American  flag  was  a  disturbing  influence 
upon  the  minds  of  the  Cubans  who  might  see  it  flashing  in  the  clear 
sunlight  of  the  tropic  sky,  suggested  the  Captain  General. 

It  must  have  been  the  language  of  diplomacy  that  was  in  mind, 
when  the  satirist  explained  that  "language  was  intended  as  a  medium 
for  concealing  thought."  President  McKinley,  in  his  message  to  Con- 
gress transmitting  the  report  of  the  naval  board  concerning  the  catas- 
trophe to  the  Maine,  explained  that  for  some  time  prior  to  the  visit  of 
the  battle-ship  to  Havana  harbor,  it  had  been  considered  a  proper 
change  in  the  policy,  in  order  to  accustom  the  people  to  the  presence  of 
our  flag  as  a  symbol  of  good  will.  The  decision  to  send  the  vessel  to 
that  harbor  was  reached,  it  was  explained,  after  conference  with  the 
Spanish  minister,  and,  through  our  diplomats,  with  the  Spanish  author- 
ities at  Madrid  and  Havana.  It  was  declared  that  this  intention  was 
received  by  the  Spanish  government  with  high  appreciation  of  the  cour- 
tesy intended,  which  it  was  offered  to  return  by  sending  Spanish  ships 
to  the  principal  ports  of  the  United  States. 

We  are  bound  to  accept  this  expression  from  the  officials  on  both 
sides  as  frankly  indicative  of  their  feelings*  But  it  is  just  as  necessary 
to  recognize  that  to  the  mass  of  the  people  in  both  countries,  the  signifi- 
cance of  the  Maine's  courtesy  call  was  very  different.  Americans  be- 
lieved that  it  indicated  a  changed  policy  on  the  part  of  the  national 
government  at  Washington  which  would  be  more  strenuous  and  more 
prompt  in  resenting  outrages  against  the  life  and  property  of  Amer- 
ican citizens  in  Cuba.  The  people  of  the  Cuban  republic  believed  that 
the  change  meant  an  expression  of  sympathy  and  friendship  for  their 
cause,  with  probable  interference  in  their  behalf,  and  took  courage 
from  that  sign.  Finally,  the  people  of  Spain  resented  the  appearance 
of  the  Maine  in  the  harbor  of  Havana  as  an  affront,  and  a  direct  threat 


36  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

against  them  and  in  favor  of  the  insurgents.  If  the  policy  of  making 
frequent  calls  in  warships  had  never  been  interrupted,  they  would  not 
have  had  this  sentiment  in  the  matter,  but  the  resumption  of  the 
practice  after  three  years'  cessation,  carried  a  threat  with  it  in  their 
minds. 

Treacherous  Destruction  of  the  Maine. 

The  Maine  entered  the  harbor  of  Havana  at  sunrise  on  the  25th  of 
January  and  was  anchored  at  a  place  indicated  by  the  harbor-master. 
Her  arrival  was  marked  with  no  special  incident,  except  the  exchange 
of  customary  salutes  and  ceremonial  visits.  Three  weeks  from  that 
night,  at  forty  minutes  past  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  15th 
of  February,  the  Maine  was  destroyed  by  an  explosion,  by  which  the 
entire  forward  part  of  the  ship  was  wrecked.  In  this  frightful  catas- 
trophe 264  of  her  crew  and  two  officers  perished,  those  who  were  not. 
killed  outright  by  the  explosion  being  penned  between  decks  by  the 
tangle  of  wreckage  and  drowned  by  the  immediate  sinking  of  her  hull. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  American  public  was  urged  to  suspend 
judgment  as  to  the  causes  of  this  disaster,  and  that  the  Spanish  authori- 
ties in  Havana  and  in  Madrid  expressed  grief  and  sympathy,  it  was 
impossible  to  subdue  a  general  belief  that  in  some  way  Spanish  treach- 
ery was  responsible  for  the  calamity.  With  the  history  of  Spanish 
cruelty  in  Cuba  before  them,  and  the  memory  of  Spanish  barbarities 
through  all  their  existence  as  a  nation,  the  people  could  not  disabuse 
their  minds  of  this  suspicion. 

One  month  later  this  popular  judgment  was  verified  by  the  finding 
of  the  naval  court  of  inquiry  which  had  made  an  exhaustive  examina- 
tion of  the  wreck,  and  had  taken  testimony  from  every  available  source. 
With  this  confirmation  and  the  aroused  sentiment  of  the  country  con- 
cerning conditions  in  Cuba,  the  logic  of  events  was  irresistibly  drawing 
the  country  toward  war  with  Spain,  and  all  efforts  of  diplomacy  and 
expressions  of  polite  regard  exchanged  between  the  governments  of  the 
two  nations  were  unable  to  avert  it. 

For  a  few  weeks,  history  was  made  rapidly.  Conservative  and  emi- 
nent American  senators  visited  Cuba  in  order  to  obtain  personal  infor- 
mation of  conditions  there,  and  upon  their  return  gave  to  Congress  and 
to  the  country,  in  eloquent  speeches,  the  story  of  the  sufferings  they 
had  found  in  that  unhappy  island.  The  loss  of  the  Maine  had  focused 
American  attention  upon  the  Cuban  situation  as  it  had  never  been  be- 
fore, and  though  there  were  no  more  reasons  for  sympathetic  interfer- 


A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  37 

ence  than  there  had  been  for  many  months,  people  began  to  realize 
as  the}7  had  not  before,  the  horrors  that  were  being  enacted  at  their 
thresholds. 

The  sailors  who  died  with  the  Maine,  even  though  they  were  not  able 
to  fight  their  country's  foes,  have  not  died  in  vain,  for  it  is  their  death 
that  will  be  remembered  as  the  culminating  influence  for  American 
intervention  and  the  salvation  of  scores  of  thousands  of  lives  of  starving 
Cuban  women  and  children.  Vessels  were  loaded  with  supplies  of  pro- 
visions  and  clothing  for  the  suffering  and  were  sent  to  the  harbors 
of  Cuba,  w^here  distribution  was  made  by  Miss  Clara  Barton  and  her 
trusted  associates  in  the  American  National  Red  Cross.  Some  of  these 
vessels  were  merchant  steamers,  but  others  were  American  cruisers, 
and  Cubans  were  not  permitted  to  forget  that  there  was  a.  flag  which 
typified  liberty,  not  far  away.  The  strain  upon  the  national  patience 
increased  every  day,  and  w^as  nearing  the  breaking  point. 

President  and  Congress  Act. 

After  a  period  of  restlessness  in  Congress  wThich  was  shared  by  the 
whole  country,  the  President  finally  transmitted  an  important  message. 
It  included  a  resume  of  the  progress  of  the  Cuban  revolution  from  its 
beginning  and  considered  in  some  detail  the  workings  of  that  devastat- 
ing policy  of  General  Weyler,  known  as  reconcentration.  The  message 
related  the  progress  of  diplomatic  negotiations  with  Spain,  and  dis- 
closed a  surprising  succession  of  events  in  wThich  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment had  submitted  to  various  requests  and  recommendations  of  the 
American  government.  The  message  ended  with  a  request  that  Con- 
gress  authorize  and  empower  the  President  to  take  measures  to  secure 
a  full  and  final  termination  of  the  intolerable  conditions  on  the  island 
of  Cuba.  Having  exhausted  the  powers  of  the  executive  in  these  efforts, 
it  was  left  to  the  legislative  authority  of  the  American  people  to  estab- 
lish such  policies  as  would  be  finally  efficient. 

Congress  rose  to  the  occasion.  The  facts  were  at  command  of  both 
houses,  their  sj^mpathies  were  enlisted  at  the  side  of  their  reason  and 
there  was  little  time  lost  in  acting.  The  House  and  the  Senate,  after 
mutual  concessions  on  minor  details,  passed  as  a,  law  of  the  land  fox' 
the  President's  signature,  an  act  directing  him  and  empowering  him 
to  require  Spain  to  withdraw  her  troops  and  relinquish  all  authority 
over  the  island  of  Cuba,.  The  President  was  authorized  to  employ  the 
army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  for  the  'purpose  of  carrying  into 


38  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND 

effect  this  instruction  and  the  interference  was  directed  to  be  made 
at  once.  Best  of  all,  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  Cuban  patriots,  the 
act  declared  that  the  people  of  Cuba  are  and  ought  to  be  free  and  inde- 
pendent. But  a  few  days  more  of  diplomacy,  and  war  was  to  begin. 

Spain  Defies  America. 

It  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the  Spanish  government  and  the 
Spanish  people  would  yield  to  the  demands  of  the  United  States  with- 
out a  protest.  So  feeble  is  the  hold  of  the  present  dynasty  upon  the 
throne  of  Spain,  that  it  was  readily  understood  that  any  concession 
upon  the  part  of  the  Queen  Kegent  would  arouse  Spanish  indignation 
beyond  the  limits  of  endurance.  The  Queen-mother  had  to  think  of  her 
baby  son's  crown.  If  she  were  to  yield  to  the  superior  power  of  the 
United  States  without  a  struggle,  Spanish  revolutionists  would  over- 
throw the  dynasty  before  he  could  come  to  the  throne.  However  well 
she  might  know  that  the  logical  outcome  of  a,  war  would  be  overwhelm- 
ing defeat  to  Spanish  arms,  political  necessities  compelled  her  to  take 
the  position  dictated  by  Spanish  pride. 

The  Spanish  Cortes  met  in  special  session  at  Madrid,  and  on  the 
20th  of  April  the  Queen  .Regent  delivered  her  speech  before  that  legis- 
lative body  and  declared  that  her  parliament  was  summoned  in  the 
hour  of  peril  to  defend  her  country's  rights  and  her  child's  throne, 
whatever  sacrifice  might  be  entailed.  It  was  on  that  same  day  that 
President  McKinley  presented  the  ultimatum  of  the  United  States  to 
Spain,  in  language  diplomatic  in  form,  but  carrying  with  it  a  definite 
notice  to  yield  Cuba's  freedom  and  relinquish  her  pretense  of  authority 
in  that  island  without  delay.  A  copy  of  the  ultimatum  was  forwarded 
to  the  Spanish  ambassador  at  Washington,  Senor  Polo  y  Bernabe,  wrho 
responded  by  asking  for  his  passports  and  safe  conduct  out  of  the 
country. 

Having  reached  the  point  where  diplomacy  no  longer  availed,  the 
Spanish  government  for  the  first  time  made  an  aggressive  move  against 
the  United  States.  Instead  of  waiting  for  the  transmission  of  the  ulti- 
matum by  American  Minister  Stewart  L.  Woodford,  the  ministry  fore- 
stalled him  and  dismissed  him  from  Madrid  without  affording  him  an 
opportunity  to  present  that  important  document.  It  had  been  trans- 
mitted to  Madrid  by  cable  from  the  Spanish  Minister  in  Washington, 
and  the  government  felt  no  need  to  wait  for  formal  messages  from  the 
enemy's  representative  in  Spain.  Minister  Woodford  left  Madrid  with- 


A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  39 

out  delay,  and  finally  reached  the  French  frontier,  after  being  subjected 
to  many  insults  and  attacks  upon  his  train  during  the  journey  from 
the  Spanish  capital. 

Martial  Spirit  Spreading. 

A  wave  of  national  patriotic  enthusiasm  swept  over  the  United 
States.  North  and  South,  East  and  West,  there  was  hardly  a  discord- 
ant note  in  the  great  chorus  of  fervent  applause  which  rose  when 
it  was  understood  that  at  last  the  forces  of  the  nation  were  to  be  united 
in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  humanity. 

But  sentiment  could  not  fight  battles,  unless  backed  by  material 
equipment.  The  nation  was  preparing  for  war.  From  all  parts  of  the 
United  States  the  troops  of  the  regular  army  were  hurried  by  special 
trains  southeastward  to  camps  at  Chickamauga  and  Tampa.  In  every 
navy  yard  work  was  hurried  night  and  day  upon  all  incomplete  battle- 
ships and  cruisers.  Already  the  fleets  of  the  American  navy  had  been 
concentrated  at  points  of  vantage  so  that  little  was  left  to  be  done 
on  that  score.  Congress  lost  no  time  in  providing  the  sinews  of  war 
by  generous  appropriations  for  the  regular  channels  of  supply,  in  addi- 
tion to  one  passed  by  unanimous  vote  of  both  houses  granting  $50.000,- 
000  as  a  special  fund  to  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  President.  The  war 
appropriation  bill  and  the  naval  appropriation  bill  carried  with  them 
emergency  clauses.  Preparations  were  made  for  the  reorganization  of 
the  regular  army  to  more  than  double  its  normal  size,  and  the  President 
was  authorized  to  call  for  a  volunteer  army  of  125,000  men.  Looking 
to  the  future,  and  the  possibility  of  a  long  and  expensive  conflict,  finan- 
cial measures  were  prepared  which  would  raise  war  revenues  through 
the  regular  channels  of  taxation  and  the  issue  of  bonds.  Americans 
were  ready  to  put  their  hands  in  their  pockets  and  pay  for  the  privi- 
lege of  teaching  a  worthy  lesson  to  the  world. 

American  sense  of  humor  never  fails,  and  even  in  this  period  of 
stress  the  people  took  time  to  smile  over  the  story  of  the  Spanish  Min- 
ister's journey  from  Washington  to  Canada,  In  Toronto,  Senor  Polo 
sought  to  discredit  the  ass-aults  that  had  been  made  on  Minister  Wood- 
ford's  train  in  Spain,  and  related  that  he  himself  had  been  the  victim 
of  assaults  at  two  or  three  important  cities  on  his  journey  through  New 
York,  which  threatened  great  danger  to  himself  and  the  train  on  which 
he  was  riding. 

Upon  inquiry  it  was  revealed  that  the  assaults  which  had  aroused 


40  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

his  fear  were  not  quite  as  hostile  as  he  believed.  At  the  division  sta- 
tions on  the  line,  the  railway  employees,  according  to  custom,  passed 
along  the  cars^  tapping  the  tires  of  the  wheels  with  steel  hammers  to 
test  them  for  a  possible  flaw  or  break  in  the  wheel,  and  it  was  this 
that  made  the  Spanish  Minister  believe  that  he  was  the  victim  of  an 
American  outrage. 


First  Guns  Are  Fired. 

The  United  States  cruiser  Nashville  of  the  North  Atlantic  squadron, 
with  headquarters  at  Key  Wesft,  had  the  honor  of  firing  the  first  shot 
in  our  war  with  Spain. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  April  22,  the  American  fleet  sailed 
from  Key  West,  and,  steaming  southward  across  the  straits  of  Florida, 
came  in  sight  of  Havana,  and  the  frowning  fortifications  of  Morro  Castle 
before  six  o'clock  the  same  afternoon. 

The  sailing  of  the  fleet,  as  dawn  was  creeping  over  the  Florida  keys, 
was  a  beautiful  sight  and  a  significant  one,  for  from  the  time  the  first 
signals  were  hoisted  until  many  days  after,  there  was  hardly  an  hour 
of  inactivity.  It  was  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  that  the  signal 
lights  began  to  flash  from  the  New  York,  Admiral  Sampson's  flagship. 
Answering  signals  appeared  on  the  warships  all  along  the  line,  and  in 
a  few  moments  black  smoke  began  to  belch  from  the  funnels  of  all  the 
ships  and  the  crews  woke  from  quietness  to  activity. 

As  soon  as  day  began  to  break,  the  cruisers  and  gunboats  inside 
the  harbor  hoisted  anchors  and  moved  out  to  join  the  big  battleships 
which  were  already  lined  outside  the  bar.  At  five  o'clock,  when  all 
the  fleet  were  gathered  around  the  battleships,  Captain  Sampson 
signaled  from  the  New  York  to  go  ahead.  The  formation  of  the  line 
had  been  agreed  upon  some  time  before  and  each  vessel  was  in  position 
for  line  of  battle,  the  New  York  in  the  center  and  the  Iowa  and  Indiana 
on  either  beam.  The  ships  presented  a  most  beautiful  appearance  as 
they  swept  out  on  the  ocean  without  a  vestige  of  anything  not  abso- 
lutely necessary  on  the  decks.  They  were  stripped  of  all  useless  super- 
structure, awnings,  gun-covers  and  everything  that  goes  to  adorn  a 
ship.  Officers  paced  the  bridge,  marines  were  drawn  up  on  deck  and 
every  man  was  at  his  post.  They  appeared  as  they  were,  grim  fighting 
machines,  not  naval  vessels  out  on  cruise  nor  a  squadron  of  evolution 
and  maneuver,  but  warships  out  for  business. 


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A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  45 

First  Spanish  Ship  Captured. 

The  fleet  had  proceeded  twelve  miles  from  Sand  Key  Light,  which 
lies  seven  miles  southeast  of  Key  West,  when  the  Nashville  signaled 
the  flagship  that  a  vessel  flying  the  Spanish  colors  had  been  sighted. 
Admiral  Sampson  signaled  from  the  New  York  for  the  Nashville  to 
go  and  take  it.  The  Nashville  bore  down  on  the  Spanish  ship  and  fired 
a  blank  shot  from  the  port  guns  aft.  This  did  not  stop  the  Spaniard, 
and,  to  give  a  more  definite  hint,  a  solid  shot  was  fired  close  over  its 
bows.  The  Spanish  ship  immediately  hove  to  and  waited  to  know  its 
fate. 

The  vessel  proved  to  be  the  Buena  Ventura,  with  a  crew  of  about 
thirty  men,  bound  from  Pascagoula  to  Rotterdam  with  a  cargo  of 
lumber,  cattle  and  miscellaneous  freight.  As  soon  as  possible  a  boat 
was  lowered  from  the  Nashville  and  an  officer  was  sent  aboard  the 
Buena  Ventura.  When  the  Spanish  captain  was  informed  that  his  ship 
could  not  proceed,  he  took  his  capture  gracefully,  shrugged  his  shoul- 
ders, and  said  he  supposed  it  was  only  the  fortune  of  war.  It  was  sug- 
gested to  him  that  the  capture  of  a  ship  bearing  that  name,  which, 
translated,  means  "good  fortune,"  as  the  first  prize  of  the  American 
fleet  in  the  war,  seemed  to  be  a  striking  coincidence.  A  prize  crew  of 
marines  under  Ensign  T.  P.  Magruder  was  placed  aboard,  and,  with  the 
Nashville  in  the  lead,  both  ships  set  out  for  Key  West. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Buena  Ventura  was  the  first  capture  by  the  Amer- 
ican navy  in  the  war,  it  had  a  more  definite  interest  than  a  success  of 
the  same  sort  would  have  a  few  months  later.  The  first  shot  was  fired 
by  Gunner  Michael  Mallia  of  the  Nashville,  who  therefore  has  the  dis- 
tinction of  firing  the  first  shot  in  the  war.  The  prize  was  a  rich  one, 
estimated  to  be  worth,  including  vessel  and  cargo,  nearly  $500,000, 
and  the  prize  money  resulting  became  a  tempting  amount.  Captain 
Wrashburne  Maynard,  commander  of  the  Nashville,  who  gained  the  dis- 
tinction of  making  the  first  capture,  is  a  native  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.  He 
is  a  son  of  former  United  States  Senator  Horace  Maynard,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  capture  was  about  fifty  years  old.  He  entered  the  An- 
napolis Naval  Academy  at  the  age  of  seventeen  and  graduated  at  the 
head  of  his  class.  He  was  for  a  number  of  years  stationed  in  Alaska, 
and  at  the  time  of  gaining  his  present  distinction  had  been  in  command 
of  the  Nashville  for  four  years. 

Blockade  of  Havana  Begun. 

After  the  Nashville  left  the  fleet  to  return  to  Key  West  with  its 
prize,  the  remaining  vessels  of  the  squadron  steamed  onward  toward 


46  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

the  Cuban  coast.  Coming  within  fifteen  miles  of  Morro  Castle,  the  fleet 
scattered  in  a  more  open  line  of  battle,  some  of  the  vessels  turning  to 
the  east  and  others  to  the  west,  and  making  the  blockade  of  the  port 
complete.  No  ship  could  enter  or  leave  the  harbor,  and  every  day 
brought  new  prizes  to  the  vessels  of  the  blockading  squadron. 

The  blockade  of  the  Cuban  metropolis  was  well  in  progress  by  the 
time  the  formal  notification  of  it  was  issued.  The  President  issued 
warning  to  the  nations  of  the  world  that  the  Cuban  ports  were  sealed 
by  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  in  the  following  formal  proclam- 
ation: 

BY  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES:    A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  By  a  joint  resolution  passed  by  the  Congress  and  approved  April 
20, 1898,  and  communicated  to  the  government  of  Spain,  it  was  demanded  that 
said  government  at  once  relinquish  its  authority  and  government  in  the  island 
of  Cuba,  and  withdraw  its  land  and  naval  forces  from  Cuba  and  Cuban  waters; 
and  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  directed  and  empowered  to  use 
the  entire  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  and  to  call  into  the  actual 
service  of  the  United  States  the  militia  of  the  several  States  to  such  extent 
as  might  be  necessary  to  carry  said  resolution  into  effect;  and 

WThereas,  In  carrying  into  effect  this  resolution  the  President  of  the 
United  States  deems  it  necessary  to  set  on  foot  and  maintain  a  blockade  of  the 
north  coast  of  Cuba,  including  all  ports  of  said  coast  between  Cardenas  and 
Bahia  Honda  and  the  port  of  Cienfuegos,  on  the  south  coast  of  Cuba; 

Now,  therefore,  I,  William  McKinley,  President  of  the  United  States, 
in  order  to  enforce  the  said  resolution,  do  hereby  declare  and  proclaim  that  the 
United  States  of  America  has  instituted  and  will  maintain  a  blockade  of  the 
north  coast  of  Cuba,  including  ports  on  said  coast  between  Cardenas  and 
Bahia  Honda,  and  the  port  of  Cienfuegos  on  the  south  coast  of  Cuba,  afore- 
said, in  pursuance  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States  and  the  law  of  nations  ap- 
plicable to  such  cases. 

An  efficient  force  will  be  posted  so  as  to  prevent  the  entrance  and  exit  of 
vessels  from  the  ports  aforesaid.  Any  neutral  vessel  approaching  said  ports, 
or  attempting  to  leave  the  same,  without  notice  or  knowledge  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  blockade,  will  be  duly  warned  by  the  commander  of  the 
blockading  forces,  who  will  indorse  on  her  register  the  fact  and  the  date 
of  such  warning,  where  such  indorsement  was  made;  and  if  the  same  vessel 
shall  again  attempt  to  enter  any  blockaded  port  she  will  be  captured  and  sent 
to  the  nearest  convenient  port  for  such  proceedings  against  her  and  her  cargo 
as  prize  as  may  be  deemed  advisable.  Neutral  vessels  lying  in  any  of  said 
ports  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  such  blockade  will  be  allowed  thirty 
days  to  issue  therefrom. 


A  WAR  FOB  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  4t 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  seal 
of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington  this  22d  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1898,  and  of 
the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-second. 

By  the  President:  WILLIAM  M'KINLEY. 

JOHN  SHEEMAN,  Secretary  of  State. 

More  Spanish  Prizes  Taken. 

The  blockade  was  not  a  mere  paper  blockade,  but  an  exceedingly 
effective  one.  Before  two  days  had  passed,  the  prizes  taken  began  to 
multiply  in  numbers  and  in  value.  The  second  capture  was  the  Spanish 
freighter  Pedro,  of  Bilboa,  which  was  taken  by  the  New  York  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  first  day's  cruising. 

When  the  fleet  approached  the  Cuban  coast  and  spread  out  for  patrol 
duty,  the  New  York  turned  eastward  for  her  own  watch,  not  knowing 
what  might  be  found  in  the  neighborhood.  Far  off  against  the  dim, 
vague  background  of  Cuban  hills,  half  seen,  half  guessed,  could  be 
traced  a  faint  film  of  gray  smoke,  the  one  visible  evidence  of  a  Spanish 
freighter  striving  vainly  to  race  out  the  day  without  being  discovered 
by  the  great  gray  monsters  that  blackened  the  sky  to  the  west  with  a 
solid  mass  of  black  cloud  from  their  roaring  furnaces. 

Vainly  the  Spaniard  raced.  Charging  along  at  trial  test  speed,  the 
Newr  York  soon  lay  across  the  bows  of  the  Spanish  ship,  and  the  crash- 
ing challenge  blazed  from  the  deck  of  the  cruiser.  A  huge  puff  of  white 
smoke  rolled  out  from  the  side  of  the  flagship,  and  far  off,  just  in  front  of 
the  Spaniard,  a  fountain  of  white  foam  leaped  into  the  air.  In  a 
moment  the  course  of  the  strange  Spaniard  was  changed,  and  she 
hove  to. 

Shortly  after,  the  New  York  led  her  prize  further  but  from  shore 
and  laid  her  to.  Crew7  and  captain  could  be  seen  rushing  about  the 
deck  of  the  ship  like  a  nest  of  ants,  hiding  their  valuables  and  striving 
to  avert  some  impending  fate  they  could  only  guess  at  in  their  ignorance. 
As  she  came  around  her  name  could  be  clearly  read  on  her  stern,  Pedro 
of  Bilboa. 

As  soon  as  she  wras  laid  alongside,  the  Pedro  wras  boarded  by  Ensign 
Frank  Marble  of  the  New  York.  Ensign  Marble  led  a  prize  crew,  con- 
sisting of  a  file  of  marines  and  seamen.  With  great  formality  the  en- 
sign swrung  aboard  and  assumed  command.  A  burly,  bare-footed  Ameri- 
can tar  shoved  the  Spanish  quartermaster  awray  from  the  wheel  and 


48  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

began  to  set  the  course  of  the  Spaniard.  The  Spanish  crew  gathered  in 
a  terrified  huddle  near  the  forecastle  and  awaited  developments. 

Hardly  had  the  prize  crew  been  put  on  board  before  another  freighter 
was  seen  going  down  the  coast  to  the  eastward.  The  New  York,  leaving 
the  captured  Spanish  craft  in  charge  of  the  prize  crew,  drew  across  the 
bows  of  the  stranger  and  sent  a  shot  into  the  water  directly  in  front  of 
her  bows.  She  paid  no  attention  to  the  challenge,  but  kept  steadily 
on,  and  a  few  seconds  later  another  shot  was  sent  hurtling  across  the 
water  in  front  of  her.  After  this  hostile  demonstration  she  hauled  up 
and  soon  followed  the  New  York  out  to  sea.  It  was  discovered,  how- 
ever, that  she  flew  the  German  flag,  and  consequently  was  permitted 
to  proceed. 

The  prize  crew  from  the  New  York  took  the  captured  vessel  into 
port  at  Key  West  under  its  own  steam.  The  ship  was  bound  from 
Havana  to  Santiago  with  a  valuable  cargo  of  rice,  iron  and  beer.  On 
the  same  day  two  other  captures  were  made,  one  by  the  torpedo  boat 
Ericsson,  which  seized  a  fishing  schooner  under  the  very  guns  of  Morro 
Castle  and  by  the  torpedo  boat,  Porter,  which  took  the  Spanish  schooner, 
Mathilde,  after  a  lively  chase  and  a  number  of  shots.  Both  of  these 
prizes  were  taken  to  Key  West  to  join  their  unfortunate  friends. 

Excitement  in  Havana. 

It  was  nearly  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  that  lucky  Friday,  when 
the  semaphore  by  the  lighthouse  in  Morro  Castle  signaled  to  the  people 
of  Havana  that  a  fleet  had  been  sighted.  It  was  said  to  be  without  any 
colors  to  show  its  nationality.  At  that  time  La  Punta,  the  fort  on  the 
side  of  the  harbor  opposite  Morro  Castle,  was  crowded  with  curious 
people,  including  many  ladies.  In  addition,  crowds  of  people  could  be 
seen  at  various  points  of  vantage,  many  of  them  gathering  on  the  roofs 
of  houses.  At  6  p.  m.  the  semaphore  signaled  that  it  was  the  United 
States  fleet  which  was  in  sight,  and  at  6:15  p.  m.  a  red  flag  was  run  up 
at  the  signal  station,  warning  guns  were  fired  from  Morro  Castle,  and 
afterward  from  Cabanas  fortress,  adjoining  it.  This  caused  excitement 
throughout  the  city,  and  was  the  first  real  note  of  war.  When  the  first 
signal  came  from  the  semaphore  station  a,  British  schooner  which  was 
in  the  harbor  put  to  sea.  She  was  immediately  followed  by  the  German 
steamer  Remus.  Some  time  afterward  the  American  steamer  Saratoga 
put  to  sea. 

The  cannon  shots  from  the  fortresses  stirred  up  the  regular  troops 


A  WAK  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  49 

and  volunteers  throughout  Havana  and  its  vicinity  and  there  was  a 
rush  to  quarters.  The  signal  guns  from  the  fortifications  echoed  to 
the  palace  and  through  the  streets,  causing  people  to  rush  from  their 
houses,  with  the  result  that  all  the  thoroughfares  were  soon  crowded 
with  excited  inhabitants.  Captain  General  Blanco  heard  the  shots  while 
at  the  palace,  to  which  place  the  generals  and  commanders  of  the  volun- 
teers promptly  reported,  full  of  excitement  and  warlike  enthusiasm. 
Some  time  afterward  the  Captain  General,  accompanied  by  his  staff, 
the  generals  and  others,  left  the  palace  and  was  warmly  acclaimed  by 
the  soldiers  and  populace.  The  General  then  made  a  brief  final  inspec- 
tion of  the  fortifications  and  went  to  a  spot  from  which  he  could  see  the 
approaching  fleet. 

There  was  no  sign  of  alarm  anywhere.  The  Spaniards  were  con- 
fident that  Havana  was  prepared  for  any  eventuality,  and  they  had 
great  faith  in  the  strength  of  their  forts,  batteries,  etc.,  and  in  the 
effectiveness  of  their  heavy  artillery.  In  fact,  there  was  a  feeling  of 
satisfaction  at  the  warlike  tremors  which  spread  everywhere  when  it 
was  seen  that  the  hour  of  battle  was  apparently  approaching  and  that 
the  Spaniards  were  soon  to  give  battle  to  their  enemies. 

Ag  the  time  passed,  more  people  crowded  to  the  spot  from  which 
the  fleets  could  be  most  favorably  seen.  By  8:30  p.  m.  there  was  a  great 
movement  of  the  masses  through  all  the  streets  and  on  all  the  squares. 
The  coffee-houses  and  clubs  were  crowded  with  excited  people,  discuss- 
ing the  arrival  of  the  American  war  ships.  The  Spaniards  expressed 
themselves  as  anxious  to  measure  arms  with  the  "invaders,"  and  there 
was  no  expression  of  doubt  as  to  the  result.  The  civil  and  military 
authorities  of  Havana  were  in  consultation  at  the  palace,  and  every 
precaution  possible  to  the  Spaniards  was  taken  to  guard  against  a  night 
surprise  and  to  resist  an  attack  if  the  bombardment  commenced. 

Spain's  Days  of  Grace  Expire. 

When  President  McKinley  sent  his  ultimatum  to  Spain,  he  indicated 
that  it  was  to  expire  at  noon  on  Saturday,  April  23,  and  at  that  time 
the  period  allowed  Spain  to  give  up  Cuba  peacefully  was  ended.  Spain, 
however,  had  not  waited  to  take  advantage  of  this  time  limit,  but  by 
her  own  preparations  during  the  days  that  had  passed,  as  well  as  by  her 
diplomatic  actions,  had  indicated  plainly  that  war  was  to  come.  The 
action  of  Minister  Polo  in  demanding  his  passport  and  leaving  the 
United  States,  and  the  action  of  the  Spanish  government  in  ejecting 


56  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

Minister  Woodford,  were  sufficient  notifications  of  the  policy  which 
to  be  pursued.  It  had  been  unnecessary,  therefore,  for  the  fleet  to  wait 
for  a  more  explicit  answer  before  investing  Havana,  Not  until  the 
expiration  of  the  time  allotted  by  President  McKinley  to  Spain,  did  he 
take  definite  action  which  committed  the  country  to  a  distinct  war 
policy  in  advance  of  the  declaration  of  war  by  Congress.  But  at  noon 
on  Saturday  the  President  issued  the  following  proclamation  calling  for 
125,000  troops  to  serve  two  years  if  the  war  should  last  so  long: 

BY  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES:    A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  by  a  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  approved  the  22d  of  April, 
1898,  entitled  "Joint  resolution  for  the  recognition  of  the  independence  of  the 
people  of  Cuba,  demanding  that  the  government  of  Spain  relinquish  its  author- 
ity and  government  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  to  withdraw  its  land  and  naval 
forces  from  Cuba  and  Cuban  waters,  and  directing  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  use  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  to  carry 
these  resolutions  into  effect,"  and, 

Whereas,  by  an  act  of  Congress,  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  in- 
creasing of  the  military  establishment  of  the  United  States  in  time  of  war 
and  for  other  purposes,"  approved  April  22,  1898,  the  President  was  author- 
ized in  order  to  raise  a  volunteer  army  to  issue  his  proclamation  calling  for 
volunteers  to  serve  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

Now,  therefore,  I,  William  McKinley,  President  of  the  United  States,  by 
the  power  vested  in  me  by  the  constitution  and  laws,  and  deeming  sufficient 
occasion  to  exist,  have  thought  fit  to  call  for  and  hereby  do  call  for  volun- 
teers to  the  aggregate  number  of  125,000,  in  order  to  carry  into  effect  the 
purpose  of  the  said  resolution,  the  same  to  be  apportioned,  as  far  as  practi- 
cable, among  the  several  States  and  Territories  and  the  District  of  Columbia, 
according  to  population,  and  to  serve  for  two  years  unless  sooner  discharged. 
The  details  for  this  object  will  be  immediately  communicated  to  the  proper 
authorities  through  the  war  department. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused  the  seal  of 
the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  Washington  this  23d  day  of  April,  1898,  and  of  the  independence 
of  the  United  States  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-second. 

By  the  President:  WILLIAM  M'KINLEY. 

JOHN  SHERMAN,  Secretary  of  State. 

States  Begin  to  Collect  Their  Troops. 

Although  it  was  decided  that  formal  notification  to  the  Governors 
of  the  states  of  the  call  for  volunteers  should  not  be  made  until  the  fol- 


A  WAR  FOE  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  51 

lowing  Monday,  the  first  step  was  taken  immediately  after  the  signing 
of  the  proclamation,  by  the  issuance  of  orders  to  the  organized  militia 
of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Before  dinner  time  the  drums  were  beating 
and  the  roll  was  being  called  within  sight  and  sound  of  the  White 
House,  and  before  night  the  drum  beats  were  heard  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  and  from  the  Gulf _of  Mexico  to  the  Great  Lakes. 

There  was  no  interruption  in  the  sequence  of  captures  by  the  Ameri- 
can fleet  around  Havana,  and  two  prizes  of  considerable  value  were 
added  to  the  list.  On  Saturday  the  gunboat  Helena  took  the  big  steamer 
Miguel  Jover,  a  vessel  of  more  than  2,000  tons,  with  a  full  cargo  of  cot- 
ton and  staves  on  board.  The  prize  was  worth  not  less  than  f  400,000. 
Friday  night  the  Helena  left  Key  West  to  follow  the  main  fleet,  but 
instead  of  sailing  directly  for  Havana,  turned  westward  toward  the 
west  end  of  the  island  of  Cuba.  The  dark,  cloudy  night  had  barely 
broken  to  a  brilliant  Cuban  sunrise,  when  the  Helena  saw  smoke  on 
the  western  horizon  and  gave  chase. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  the  quarry  had  sighted  the  hunter  and  was 
making  a  run  for  it.  The  freighter  was  no  match  in  speed  for  the  gun- 
boat, however,  and  the  Helena  was  soon  near  enough  to  fire  a  shot. 
Only  one  blank  shot  was  required.  The  fugitive  steamer  shook  out  the 
Spanish  flag  and  hove  to.  When  the  Helena  came  up  the  captain  tried 
to  talk  Captain  Swinburne  out  of  his  prize.  He  urged  that  he  was  from 
an  American  port,  New  Orleans,  and  knew  nothing  of  a  declaration  of 
war.  The  talk  did  him  no  good.  He  was  taken  on  board  the  Helena 
and  a  prize  crew  of  a  dozen  sailors  and  sixteen  marines,  under  Ensigns 
M.  C.  Davis  and  H.  G.  McFarland,  was  put  aboard  the  Jover. 

The  first  the  fleet  knew  of  the  capture  was  when  the  Helena  came 
steaming  up  with  her  prize  and  signaled  the  flagship.  The  other  ships 
cheered  and  the  Helena  started  off  for  Key  West,  the  Jover  being 
worked  by  its  own  men,  superintended  by  the  prize  crew. 

Valuable  Prize  Captured. 

The  most  valuable  prize  yet  taken  was  the  transatlantic  liner,  Cat- 
alina,. which  was  taken  by  the  Detroit  The  vessel's  tonnage  was  6,000, 
and  with  its  general  cargo  the  prize  was  considered  worth  nearly  f  600,- 
000.  The  big  ship  was  bound  from  New  Orleans  to  Barcelona,  via 
Havana,  with  a  large  general  cargo.  Twelve  miles  before  making  port 
the  steamer  was  stopped  by  two  shots,  and  a  prize  crew  under  Ensign 
H.  H.  Christy,  consisting  of  sixteen  men  from  the  Detroit  and  New 
York,  was  put  on  hoard  to  take  the  vessel  back  to  Key  West. 


52  A  WAK  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

In  addition  to  these  notable  captures  the  torpedo  boat,  Porter,  took 
the  Spanish  schooner,  Antonio,  laden  with  sugar  for  Havana,  and  the 
revenue  cutter,  Winona,  added  the  Spanish  steamer  Saturaina  to  the 
list. 

If  it  had  not  been  for  the  excitement  of  taking  occasional  prizes, 
the  blockading  of  Havana  would  have  been  dull  business  for  the  Jack 
Tars  aboard  the  North  Atlantic  squadron.  Saturday  night  they  had  to 
listen  to  the  roar  of  the  guns  of  Morro  Castle  and  see  the  flashes  of  fire 
from  their  muzzles,  without  a  reply  from  the  fleet.  Havana  officials 
have  declared  that  the  discharge  of  those  guns  was  only  for  signaling 
purposes  and  was  not  an  attack  on  the  fleet,  but  it  would  be  difficult  to 
make  the  sailors  believe  that  Spanish  marksmanship  was  not  respon- 
sible for  the  fact  that  no  balls  fell  near  them. 

Spain  Declares  War. 

The  Spanish  government  did  not  wait  for  further  aggression  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  but  herself  made  the  next  formal  move  by 
issuing  a  declaration  of  the  fact  that  war  existed,  and  defining  the  con- 
ditions under  which  the  Spanish  government  expected  to  carry  on  the 
conflict.  This  decree  was  gazetted  in  Madrid  on  Sunday,  April  24,  in  the 
following  terms: 

Diplomatic  relations  are  broken  off  between  Spain  and  the  United  States, 
and  the  state  of  war  having  begun  between  the  two  countries  numerous  ques- 
tions of  international  law  arise  which  must  be  precisely  defined  chiefly  be- 
cause the  injustice  and  provocation  come  from  our  adversaries  and  it  is  they 
who,  by  their  detestable  conduct,  have  caused  this  grave  conflict. 

We  have  observed  with  strictest  fidelity  the  principles  of  international 
law  and  have  shown  the  most  scrupulous  respect  for  morality  and  the  right 
of  government.  There  is  an  opinion  that  the  fact  that  we  have  not  adhered 
to  the  declaration  of  Paris  does  not  exempt  us  from  the  duty  of  respecting 
the  principles  therein  enunciated.  The  principle  Spain  unquestionably  re- 
fused to  admit  then  wras  the  abolition  of  privateering.  The  government  now 
considers  it  most  indispensable  to  make  absolute  reserve  on  this  point  in 
order  to  maintain  our  liberty  of  action  and  uncontested  right  to  have  recourse 
to  privateering  when  we  consider  it  expedient,  first  by  organizing  immediately 
a  force  of  cruisers  auxiliary  to  the  navy,  which  will  be  composed  of  vessels 
of  our  mercantile  marine  and  with  equal  distinction,  in  the  work  of  our  navy. 

Clause  1 — The  state  of  war  existing  between  Spain  and  the  United  States 
annuls  the  treaty  of  peace  and  amity  of  Oct  27,  1795,  and  the  protocol  of 
Jan.  12,  1877,  and  all  other  agreements,  treaties,  or  conventions  in  force 
between  the  two  countries. 


in 

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O 


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A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  55 

Clause  2 — From  the  publication  of  these  presents  thirty  days  are  granted 
to  all  ships  of  the  United  States  anchored  in  our  harbors  to  take  their  de- 
parture free  of  hindrance. 

Clause  3 — Notwithstanding  that  Spain  has  not  adhered  to  the  declaration 
of  Paris  the  government,  respecting  the  principles  of  the  law  of  nations,  pro- 
poses to  observe,  and  hereby  orders  to  be  observed,  the  following  regu- 
lations of  maritime  law: 

1.  Neutral  flags  cover  the  enemy's  merchandise  except  contraband  of 
war. 

2.  Neutral  merchandise,  except  contraband  of  war,  is  not  seizable  under 
the  enemy's  flag. 

3.  A  blockade  to  be  obligatory  must  be  effective — viz. :  It  must  be  main- 
tained  with  sufficient  force  to  prevent  access  to  the  enemy's  littoral. 

4.  The  Spanish  government,  upholding  its  right  to  grant  letters  of 
marque,  will  at  present  confine  itself  to  organizing,  with  the  vessels  of  the 
mercantile  marine,  a  force  of  auxiliary  cruisers  which  will  co-operate  with  the 
navy  according  to  the  needs  of  the  campaign  and  will  be  under  naval 
control. 

5.  In  order  to  capture  the  enemy's  ships  and  confiscate  the  enemy's  mer- 
chandise and  contraband  of  war  under  whatever  form,  the  auxiliary  cruisers 
will  exercise  the  right  of  search  on  the  high  seas  and  in  the  waters  under 
the  enemy's  jurisdiction,  in  accordance  with  international  law  and  the  regu- 
lations which  will  be  published. 

6.  Defines  what  is  included  in  contraband  of  war,  naming  weapons,  am- 
munition, equipments,  engines,  and,  in  general,  all  the  appliances  used  in  war. 

7.  To  be  regarded  and  judged  as  pirates  with  all  the  rigor  of  the  law 
are  captains,  masters,  officers,  and  two-thirds  of  the  crews  of  vessels  which, 
not  being  American,  shall  commit  acts  of  war  against  Spain,  even  if  provided 
with  letters  of  marque  issued  by  the  United  States. 

Following  is  a  summary  of  the  more  important  of  the  five  clauses 
outlining  the  rules  Spain  announced  she  would  observe  during  the  war: 

The  United  States  Makes  Reply. 

It  took  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  just  one  minute  and  forty-one 
seconds  on  Monday  to  pass  a  declaration  of  war  which  replied  to  that 
of  Spain.  The  Senate  acted  almost  as  promptly,  and  their  respective 
presiding  officers  and  the  President  of  the  United  States  signed  the  Act 
of  Congress  immediately,  so  that  it  became  at  once  a  law  of  the  land. 
The  declaration  of  war  was  passed  by  Congress  in  response  to  a  message 
from  the  President  requesting  that  action  in  the  following  terms: 

3 


56  A  WAR  FOB  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

TO  THE  SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA: 

I  transmit  to  Congress  for  its  consideration  and  appropriate  action  copies 
of  correspondence  recently  had  with  the  representative  of  Spain  in  the 
United  States,  with  the  United  States  Minister  at  Madrid,  and  through  the 
latter  with  the  government  of  Spain,  showing  the  action  taken  under  the 
joint  resolution  approved  April  20,  1898,  "for  the  recognition  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  people  of  Cuba,  demanding  that  the  government  of  Spain 
relinquish  its  authority  and  government  in  the  island  of  Cuba  and  to  with- 
draw its  land  and  naval  forces  from  Cuba  and  Cuban  waters,  and  directing 
the  President  of  the  United  States  to  carry  these  resolutions  into  effect." 

Upon  communicating  with  the  Spanish  Minister  in  Washington  the  de- 
mand which  it  became  the  duty  of  the  executive  to  address  to  the  government 
of  Spain,  in  obedience  to  said  resolution,  the  said  Minister  asked  for  his  pass- 
ports and  withdrew.  The  United  States  Minister  at  Madrid  was  in  turn 
notified  by  the  Spanish  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  that  the  withdrawal  of 
the  Spanish  representative  from  the  United  States  had  terminated  diplo- 
matic relations  between  the  two  countries,  and  that  all  official  communica- 
tions between  their  respective  representatives  ceased  therewith. 

I  recommend  to  your  special  attention  the  note  addressed  to  the  United 
States  Minister  at  Madrid  by  the  Spanish  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  on  the 
21st  inst.,  whereby  the  foregoing  notification  was  conveyed.  It  will  be  per- 
ceived therefrom  that  the  government  of  Spain,  having  cognizance  of  the 
joint  resolution  of  the  United  States  Congress,  and  in  view  of  things  which 
the  President  is  thereby  required  and  authorized  to  do,  responds  by  treating 
the  representative  demands  of  this  government  as  measures  of  hostility,  fol- 
lowing with  that  instant  and  complete  severance  of  relations  by  its  action 
whereby  the  usage  of  nations  accompanies  an  existent  state  of  war  between 
sovereign  powers. 

The  position  of  Spain  being  thus  made  known,  and  the  demands  of  the 
United  States  being  denied,  with  a  complete  rupture  of  intercourse  by  the  act 
of  Spain,  I  have  been  constrained,  in  exercise  of  the  power  and  authority 
conferred  upon  me  by  the  joint  resolution  aforesaid,  to  proclaim,  under  date  of 
April  22,  1898,  a  blockade  of  certain  ports  on  the  north  coast  of  Cuba  lying 
between  Cardenas  and  Bahia  Honda,  and  of  the  port  of  Cienfuegos  on  the 
south  coast  of  Cuba;  and  further,  in  exercise  of  my  constitutional  powers, 
and  using  the  authority  conferred  upon  me  by  the  act  of  Congress  approved 
April  22,  1898,  to  issue  my  proclamation,  dated  April  23,  1898,  calling  for 
volunteers  in  order  to  carry  into  effect  the  said  resolutions  of  April  20,  1898. 
Copies  of  these  proclamations  are  hereto  appended. 

In  view  of  the  measures  so  taken,  and  with  a  view  to  the  adoption  of  such 
other  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to  enable  me  to  carry  out  the  expressed 
will  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  in  the  premises,  I  now  recommend 


A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  57 

to  your  honorable  body  the  adoption  of  a  joint  resolution  declaring  that  a 
state  of  war  exists  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Kingdom 
of  Spain,  and  I  urge  speedy  action  thereon,  to  the  end  that  the  definition 
of  the  international  status  of  the  United  States  as  a  belligerent  power  may  be 
made  known,  and  the  assertion  of  all  its  rights  and  the  maintenance  of  all 
its  duties  in  the  conduct  of  a  public  war  may  be  assured. 

WILLIAM  M'KINLEY. 
Executive  Mansion,  Washington,  April  25,  1898. 

War  Is  Declared. 

The  formal  declaration  of  war  as  passed  by  the  houses  of  Congress 
was  short  and  pointed,  worthy  of  recollection  as  a  model  for  such  un- 
pleasant documents.  It  read  as  follows: 

A  BILL  DECLARING  THAT  WAR  EXISTS  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED 

STATES  OF  AMERICA  AND  THE  KINGDOM  OF  SPAIN. 
Be  it  enacted,  etc.: 

First — That  war  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  declared  to  exist  and  that  war 
has  existed  since  the  21st  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1898,  including  said  day,  between 
the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Kingdom  of  Spain. 

Second — That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  and  empowered  to  use  the  entire  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United 
States  and  to  call  into  the  actual  service  of  the  United  States  the  militia  of 
the  several  States  to  such  extent  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  this  act 
into  effect. 

Diplomacy  was  still  taking  a  hand  in  the  war.  Spain  was  indignant 
at  the  attack  on  Spanish  possessions  and  endeavored  to  arouse  sympathy 
among  her  European  neighbors.  The  Queen  Regent  addressed  tele- 
grams to  all  the  sovereigns  of  Europe  protesting  against  the  vitiation 
of  the  rights  of  Spain  by  the  United  States,  and  declaring  that  her  gov- 
ernment was  firmly  resolved  never  to  yield  until  crushed.  This  was  a 
personal  communication  from  one  sovereign  to  her  brother  sovereigns 
of  the  continental  kingdom.  At  the  same  time  there  was  made  public 
Spain's  memorandum  to  all  the  European  powers  which  was  an  official 
utterance  of  the  Spanish  ministry  and  signed  by  Senor  Gullon,  the 
Spanish  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

The  memorandum  began  by  recording  the  "moral  and  material  aid 
the  Cuban  rebels  have  received  from  the  United  States"  in  filibustering 
expeditions  and  the  operations  of  the  junta.  It  mentioned  Spain's  re- 


58  A  WAR  FOE  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

peated  and  positive  denials  to  the  allegations  of  cruelty  toward  the 
Cubans,  and  laid  great  stress  upon  President  Cleveland's  dispatch  of 
Dec.  7,  1896,  to  the  effect  that  peace  would  be  possible  if  Spain  gave  a 
sufficient  autonomy  to  Cuba, 

The  memorandum  contended  that,  in  the  face  of  the  new  liberal 
constitution  granted  Cuba,  which  "has  already  borne  fruits,"  it  was 
difficult  to  understand  why  President  McKinley,  in  his  message  of  Dec. 
6, 1897,  and  General  Woodford,  in  the  note  of  Dec.  20,  1897,  should  still 
doubt  Spain's  loyalty. 

•  The  document  then  spoke  at  some  length  of  the  Maine  accident,  and 
asserted  that  the  Americans,  under  the  pretext  of  the  extra  territori- 
ality  of  the  vessel,  never  allowed  the  Spanish  authorities  to  visit  the 
wreck  for  purposes  of  investigation;  and  it  most  solemnly  asserted  the 
absolute  innocence  of  Spanish  officials  and  of  Spanish  subjects  gen- 
erally. 

The  fairness  and  loyalty  of  Spain  were  then  shown  by  a  reference  to 
the  equitable  treatment  which  American  filibusters,  more  especially 
those  of  the  Competitor,  received  at  the  hands  of  Spain,  and  in  order 
to  show  more  fully  how  pacific  and  correct  have  been  the  attitude  of 
the  Spanish  government  the  memorandum  enumerated  the  four  clauses 
of  the  Spanish  proposals.  They  were: 

Proposals  of  Spain, 

1.  An  offer  to  submit  all  questions  arising  from  the  Maine  affair  to 
arbitration. 

2.  An  order  to  Governor-General  Blanco  to  retire  into  the  western 
provinces  and  to  apply  3,000,000  pesetas  for  the  relief  of  the  agricultural 
population,  with  an  acceptance  by  the  Spanish  government  of  relief 
for  Cubans  sent  by  the  United  States,  provided  such  relief  were  sent  in 
merchant  vessels. 

3.  The  co-operation  of  the  Cuban  parliament  in  formulating  the 
extent  of  the  powers  to  be  reserved  for  the  central  government. 

4.  In  view  of  the  Cuban  parliament  not  meeting  before  May  4,  the 
proclamation  of  an  immediate  armistice. 

The  memorandum  proceeded  to  declare  that  the  United  States  had 
not  accepted  even  these  far-reaching  concessions,  and  that  the  good 
offices  of  the  pope  had  been  equally  unavailing.  It  asserted  that  the 
Maine  accident  was  used  by  political  parties  in  America  as  a  means  of 
hurling  "most  gratuitous  and  intolerable  calumnies  at  the  Spanish 


A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY.  59 

government,''  and  yet,  the  document  said,  Mr.  Olney,  in  an  official  note 
dated  April  4,  1896,  to  the  Spanish  minister  in  Washington,  himself 
expressed  very  serious  apprehensions  lest  the  only  existing  bond  of 
union  in  Cuba  should  disappear  in  the  event  of  Spain  withdrawing 
from  that  island.  Mr.  Olney,  as  the  memorandum  argued,  feared  at 
that  time  that  a  war  of  races  would  ensue,  all  the  more  sanguinary  in 
proportion  to  the  experience  and  discipline  acquired  during  the  insur- 
rection, and  that  two  republics  would  at  once  be  formed — one  white, 
the  other  black — the  upshot  being  that  one  of  the  two  would  swallow 
the  other. 

The  grave  view  thus  taken  by  Mr.  Olney  of  the  future  of  Cuba  freed 
from  Spain's  rule  was  then  enlarged  upon,  and  inevitable  racial  wars 
were  foreshadowed,  which  were  "certain  to  wreck  the  existence  of  Cuba 
as  a  state,  should  Spain  be  deprived  of  sovereignty"  over  the  island. 
Thus,  being  convinced,  as  Spain  was,  that  right  and  equity  are  on  her 
side,  "she  will  not  and  cannot  surrender  her  sovereignty  in  Cuba." 

Trouble  for  Spain  at  Home. 

Spain's  embarrassments  at  home  were  multiplying,  and  threatening 
danger  only  less  than  that  from  the  hostilities  of  the  United  States. 
Twenty  thousand  republicans  of  all  shades  of  opinion  in  Madrid 
signed  and  addressed  to  Seilor  Castelar,  the  republican  leader,  under 
the  pretext  of  congratulating  him  upon  his  recovery  from  recent 
sickness,  but  in  reality  offering  him  their  services  if  he  would  proclaim 
a  republic. 

At  the  same  time  Don  Carlos,  the  pretender  to  the  Spanish  throne, 
was  a  disturbing  element,  threatening  a  revolution  against  the  present 
dynasty  if  an  opportunity  were  to  offer. 

During  all  these  complications,  which  included  at  one  time  even  a 
threat  that  the  Spanish  ministry  would  resign,  there  was  no  discordant 
note  of  any  sort  in  the  United  States.  Secretary  of  State  John  Sherman 
and  Postmaster  General  Gary  resigned  from  President  McKinley's 
cabinet  because  of  ill  health,  in  order  that  the  government  might  be 
in  no  way  handicapped  during  the  time  of  emergency.  Secretary  Sher- 
man was  succeeded  by  Assistant  Secretary  Judge  William  R.  Day  of 
Canton,  Ohio,  who  had  displayed  remarkable  aptitude  for  the  office 
during  his  term  of  service,  while  Mr.  Gary's  successor  was  the  Honor- 
able Charles  Emory  Smith,  of  Philadelphia,  a  newspaper  editor  and 
formerly  ambassador  to  Russia. 


60  A  WAR  FOR  LIBERTY  AND  HUMANITY. 

Along  the  Cuban  Coast. 

It  was  the  torpedo  boats  which  kept  things  exciting  during  the  early 
blockade  of  Cuban  ports.  They  are  like  hornets,  which  travel  faster 
than  anything  that  tries  to  escape  them,  sting  when  they  strike,  and 
vanish  in  an  instant.  Two  of  these  brisk  fighters  distinguished  them- 
selves on  Sunday,  while  the  diplomats  were  busy  in  the  cabinets  of  the 
world.  The  torpedo  boat  Porter,  which  is  as  fleet  as  an  express  train, 
has  a  dare-devil  crew  and  an  intrepid  commander  with  an  honored 
name.  He  is  Lieutenant  John  C.  Fremont,  a  son  of  the  famous  "Path- 
finder," who  himself  never-  hesitated  to  lead  the  way,  whether  in  wilder- 
ness exploration  or  any  other  duty  that  came  before  him. 

Lieutenant  Fremont,  with  the  Porter,  made  a  landing  on  the  north 
coast  of  Cuba  with  a  small  force  of  his  men,  in  search  of  certain  informa- 
tion which  was  desired  by  Admiral  Sampson  for  the  guidance  of  his 
plans.  It  was  a  dangerous  undertaking,  for  the  squad  might  have  been 
wiped  out  in  spite  of  their  readiness  to  fight,  if  they  had  stumbled  upon 
Spanish  troops.  None  were  met,  however,  the  journey  was  made  in 
safety,  and  the  landing  party  returned  to  the  fleet  in  triumph  with  the 
distinction  of  being  the  first  actual  invaders  of  the  Cuban  soil  in  this 
warfare. 

Earlier  in  the  same  day  the  torpedo  boat  Foote,  in  command  of 
Lieutenant  W.  L.  Rogers,  was  directed  to  take  soundings  of  the  ap- 
proach to  the  harbor  of  Matanzas,  an  important  city  on  the  north  coast 
of  Cuba  fifty  miles  east  of  Havana.  The  Foote  drew  the  first  fire 
definitely  known  to  be  directed  against  the  blockading  squadron.  The 
little  scout  was  taking  soundings  within  three  hundred  yards  of  shore, 
when  a  Spanish  masked  battery  on  the  east  side  of  the  harbor,  command- 
ing the  entrance,  fired  three  shots  in  quick  succession.  They  all  went 
wide  of  the  mark,  striking  the  water  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away 
from  the  boat.  The  officers  and  men  were  momentarily  startled  by  the 
volley,  and  then  continued  their  observation.  The  cruiser  Cincinnati, 
which  was  not  far  away,  was  hailed  by  the  torpedo  boat  and  Lieutenant 
Rogers  reported  his  experience.  The  orders  of  Captain  Chester,  in 
command  of  the  Cincinnati,  did  not  permit  him  to  shell  Matanzas,  so 
the  fire  from  the  masked  battery  was  not  returned. 

The  Call  to  Arms. 

It  was  on  Monday,  the  25th  of  April,  that  the  national  authorities 
notified  the  governors  of  each  state  that  they  would  be  expected  to  fur- 


A  WAR  FOE  LIBERTY   AND  HUMANITY.  61 

nish  volunteers  for  our  war  with  Spain.  The  response  was  immediate. 
In  every  state  of  the  Union  the  call  to  arms  was  heard  with  delight 
and  troops  gathered  at  their  armories  for  prompt  enlistment.  The  speed 
and  facility  with  which  a  trained  and  efficient  army  could  be  mobilized 
was  an  amazement  to  those  who  had  not  been  familiar  with  the  details 
of  the  organization  of  the  National  Guard  of  America.  Within  twenty- 
four  hours  after  the  receipt  of  the  order,  thousands  of  troops  were 
moving  to  the  state  encampments  where  they  had  been  directed  to 
gather.  Illinois  was  an  example  of  this  promptness,  in  sending  nearly 
5,000  men  out  of  Chicago  without  delay,  but  this  was  no  more  notable 
than  the  record  made  by  many  other  states  in  every  part  of  the  Union. 
The  cheers  and  the  blessings  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  loyal  citizens 
stimulated  those  who  were  to  go  to  the  front  with  the  banner  of  free- 
dom, and  they  realized  that  they  were  representing  the  sentiment  of  a 
united  nation. 

Those  days  near  the  end  of  April  were  exciting  times.  The  whole 
nation  was  keyed  up  to  a  nervous  tension  of  anxiety  to  know  what 
would  be  the  next  event  recorded  on  land  or  sea.  The  armies  of  the 
United  States  were  preparing  for  the  struggle,  the  coast  defenses  were 
brought  to  completion,  and  the  government  was  ready  for  any  emergency 
that  might  arise.  Admiral  Sampson's  splendid  North  Atlantic  squad- 
ron was  blockading  the  ports  of  Cuba.  Admiral  Schley,  with  the  flying 
squadron  at  Hampton  Roads,  was  ready  for  prompt  action  in  any 
direction  where  it  might  be  effective,  whether  to  protect  the  Atlantic 
coast  cities  from  a  threatened  assault  by  Spanish  warships,  or  to  descend 
upon  the  Spanish  fleet  for  a,  naval  battle. 

Admiral  Dewey  with  the  Asiatic  squadron  had  been  driven  out  of 
Hong  Kong  by  application  of  the  neutrality  laws,  and  international 
obligations  might  embarrass  him  unless  he  took  the  aggressive,  and 
made  for  himself  a  base  of  supplies  in  the  Philippine  Islands.  It  was 
expected  every  day  that  he  would  make  an  assault  upon  Manila, 
the  capital  of  the  Philippines,  and  that  the  first  naval  engagement 
of  consequence  in  the  war  would  be  with  the  Spanish  fleet  in  those 
waters.  No  one  doubted  that  the  Asiatic  squadron  would  be  able  to 
give  a  good  account  of  itself,  although  the  fleet  which  was  to  oppose 
it  did  not  lack  efficient  guns  and  fighting  strength. 

The  capture  of  that  valuable  Spanish  colony,  in  which  rebellion 
against  the  government  was  in  progress,  would  be  not  only  a  severe 
blow  to  the  Spanish  arms,  but  would  also  strengthen  the  position  of  the 


63  A   WAR   FOR   LIBERTY   AND   HUMANITY. 

United  States  in  the  Orient  by  the  capture  of  large  supplies  of  coal  and 
naval  equipment,  as  well  as  a  splendid  base  of  operations. 

But  while  these  preparations  were  going  on  for  the  conflict  wrhich 
was  destined  to  cost  Spain  her  possessions  in  the  wrestern  world,  there 
were  a  few  individuals  who  were  still  making  desperate  efforts  to  induce 
the  administration  at  Washington  to  effect  a  compromise  at  any  cost. 
Not  even  the  actual  declaration  of  war,  and  the  call  for  volunteers, 
could  bring  the  members  of  this  peace-at-any-price  party  to  a  realization 
of  the  fact  that  patience  has  ceased  to  'be  a  virtue,  .that  we  could  no 
longer  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  appeals  of  an  oppressed  people,  and  that 
the  brave  men  who  wrent  dowrn  with  the  Maine  must  be  avenged. 

Every  true  American  felt  that  the  hour  had  come  when  we  must 
defend  the  honor  of  our  great  nation,  and  it  wras  evident  to  all  that 
the  time  wras  near  at  hand  when  actual  warfare  w^as  to  begin  both  on 
land  and  sea. 

The  insurgents  in  Cuba,  who  have  been  struggling  against  almost 
overwhelming  odds  for  so  many  months,  received  the  glad  tidings  of 
American  intervention  with  unbounded  joy,  and  at  once  sent  repre- 
sentatives to  the  United  States  to  arrange  for  co-operation  in  the 
invasion  of  Cuba,  and  to  assist  in  planning  a  systematic  campaign 
against  the  Spanish  forces.  Every  arrangement  was  completed  for 
final  action  and  with  men  and  money,  munitions  of  war  and  ships,  all 
in  ample  supply,  it  was  evident  that  the  crucial  test  was  soon  to  come, 
and  that  war  was  at  last  an  actual  fact. 


CHAPTEE  II. 
HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEAKL  OF  THE  ANTILLES." 

Ingratitude  of  Spain  to  the  Great  Discoverer  Who  Gave  Her  a  New  World — 
How  Spain's  Evil  Colonial  Policy  Lost  the  Western  Hemisphere  to 
That  Obsolete  Nation — Early  Settlement  of  Cuba — Character  of  the 
Natives  at  the  Time  of  the  Discovery — Founding  of  the  First  Cities — 
Havana  Becomes  the  Island  Capital — Docility  of  the  Natives  and 
Their  Extermination  by  Spanish  Oppressors. 

Cuba  and  Columbus  are  names  inseparably  connected.  This  largest 
and  most  fruitful  island  of  the  Spanish  Main  was  discovered  by  the 
great  navigator  himself  on  the  28th  day  of  October,  1492,  only  a  short 
time  after  his  first  landing  upon  the  soil  of  the  western  hemisphere  on 
the  island  of  San  Salvador.  There  is  a  sentimental  association  to 
Americans  in  the  thought  that  the  discovery  of  our  own  continent  was 
due  to  the  pioneer  expeditions  sent  from  Spain.  But  any  regret  in 
one's  mind  that  animosities  have  risen  between  the  two  nations,  may 
be  mollified  by  the  memory  that  Columbus  was  himself  an  Italian,  that 
it  had  required  years  of  his  efforts  to  induce  sufficient  interest  on  the 
part  of  Spanish  monarchs  to  father  his  undertaking,  and  that  Ms  life 
in  the  service  of  Spain  was  marred  by  th£  basest  ID  gratitude  on  the 
part  of  those  whom  he  had  served. 

Upon  the  handsome  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Columbus 
in  Seville  by  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  is  the  simple  inscription,  "A  Cas- 
tile y  Leon,  nuevo  mundo  dio  Colon" — "to  Castile  and  Leon,  Columbus 
gave  a  new  world." 

This  was  the  tardy  recognition  granted  to  the  discoverer  by  those  to 
whom  he  had  made  the  marvelous  gift.  Recognition  had  been  denied 
him  in  his  life,  except  after  years  of  persistent  urging,  second  only  to 
those  years  he  wasted  in  his  effort  to  arouse  Spanish  interest  and  en- 
terprise. Once  he  was  removed  from  his  West  Indian  governorship  and 
returned  to  Spain  in  chains.  The  titles  and  honors  which  had  been 
promised  him  before,  were  denied  after  he  had  earned  them.  He 
was  a  victim  of  foul  ingratitude,  and  no  American  need  permit  senti- 
ment to  blind  him  for  the  sake  of  Columbus. 


64      HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES." 

The  splendid  new  world  which  Columbus  gave  to  Spain,  was  the 
most  marvelous  addition  'of  territory  that  has  ever  come  into  the  pos- 
session of  any  nation  upon  earth.  It  included  the  whole  of  South  Amer- 
ica, except  Brazil,  which  was  acquired  by  Portugal,  and  the  small  col- 
onies known  as  British,  Dutch  ajid.  French  Guiana.  It  included  the 
whole  of  Central  America  and  Mexico.  It  included  the  whole  of  what 
is  now  the  United  States  west  of  the  Mississippi  river.  It  included  the 
whole  of  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  peninsula  of  Florida 
to  the  southern  limit  of  Alabama  and  Georgia,  and  except  for  a  few 
scattered  islands,  it  included  every  foot  of  land  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
and  the  Caribbean  sea,  all  the  coral  rocks,  as  well' as  the  greater  islands 
of  the  West  Indies  and  the  Antilles.  To-day  not  a,  foot  of  all  that 
enormous  possession  remains  to  Spain  undisputed,  except  the  islands 
of  Cuba  and  Puerto  Kico.  These  hundreds  of  thousands  of  square 
miles  are  inhabited  by  a  free  and  peaceful  people,  most  of  them  as  repub- 
lics, and  the  few  exceptions  under  civilized  and  liberal  colonial  policies. 
Spain's  hold  on  Cuba  has  vanished  and  Puerto  Kico  is  slipping  away. 
Spain  could  not  preserve  the  gifts  of  Columbus. 

Spains  Colonial  Policies. 

The  logic  of  events  and  the  progress  of  civilization  have  commanded 
that  Spain  should  withdraw  from  her  possessions  in  the  western  hemi- 
sphere. Never  has  there  been  such  a  record  of  ferocity  and  barbarity  in 
conquest,  as  that  which  blackens  the  pages  of  Spanish  history  in  con- 
nection with  Spain's  acquisition  and  subjection  of  her  newly  discovered 
territories.  Whether  it  was  the  peaceful  Indians  of  the  Antilles,  the 
highly  civilized  Aztecs  of  Mexico,  or  the  Incas  of  Peru,  the  policy  pur- 
sued was  always  the  same.  First,  treacherous  friendship,  then  robbery 
and  massacre,  then  slavery,  and  finally  extermination,  was  the  unvary- 
ing programme.  And  so,  instead  of  winning  favor  and  loyalty  with 
their  consequent  happiness  and  prosperity  from  the  native  tribes,  Span- 
ish conquerors  implanted  in  the  possessors  of  the  country  an  over-mas- 
tering and  ineradicable  hatred,  which  grew  with  association,  until  in 
colony  after  colony  the  bonds  were  burst  by  violence. 

When  Great  Britain  lost  her  American  colonies  by  reason  of  her 
misgovernment  and  oppression  of  them,  it  was  a  lesson  which  her  peo- 
ple never  fogot  From  that  day,  the  colonial  policy  of  the  British  gov- 
ernment was  altered,  and  the  spirit  of  liberality  and  generosity  began 
to  dominate.  To-day,  every  colony  of  Great  Britain  that  enjoys  repre- 


HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES."   65 

sentative  government — Canada,  Australia,  Cape  Colony  and  many 
others,  owes  to  the  United  States  the  liberty  which  Great  Britain  grants. 

But  Spain  could  learn  no  such  lessons.  Her  cruelty  and  misgov- 
ernment  aroused  colony  after  colony  to  rebellion  ending  in  freedom, 
but  her  policies  remained  unaltered.  One  by  one  possessions  of  fabu- 
lous wealth  dropped  away  until  at  last  this  old  crone  of  nations  has 
been  left  to  shiver  alone  by  her  fireside,  abandoned  in  her  misery  by 
all  the  children  whose  memory  of  her  is  nothing  but  that  of  vicious 
cruelty.  The  only  pity  to  which  Spain  is  entitled,  is  the  pity  that  is 
due  for  her  ignorance  and  her  mistakes,  not  pity  for  the  penalties  that 
these  have  brought  upon  her. 

Spain  was  once  the  intellectual  leader  of  the  world,  as  well  as  the 
pioneer  of  discovery.  Spanish  universities  were  centers  of  learning 
long  before  northern  Europe  had  its  intellectual  birth.  Spanish  mari- 
ners sailed  every  sea  and  Spanish  adventurers  explored  every  land.  If 
learning  and  advancement  bring  obligations,  as  they  are  admitted  to  do, 
it  was  Spain's  obligation  to  be  a  leader  in  strife  for  liberty  of  mind  -and 
body,  but  the  two  most  notable  things  in  her  history  are  the  Spanish 
inquisition  against  freedom  of  thought,  and  the  Spanish  ferocities  which 
enslaved  a  new  world  for  many  a  year.  Now  she  has  reaped  the  harvest 
of  her  own  misdeeds. 

The  Early  Settlement  of  Cuba. 

Every  one  knows  that  Columbus  was  not  looking  for  a  western 
hemisphere,  but  for  the  Orient,  and  that  when  he  found  Cuba  he  believed 
he  had  reached  the  East  Indies  and  the  islands  of  gold  and  spice  which 
had  been  reported  from  that  mysterious  land.  His  first  island  discov- 
eries he  believed  to  be  the  outlying  portions  of  that  eastern  archipelago 
and  when  the  natives  told  him  of  a  greater  land  near  bv,  which  he 

CJ  */     / 

reached  a  few  days  later,  he  believed  that  at  last  he  had  reached  Cipan- 
go,  as  Japan  then  was  called. 

The  first  name  given  to  the  island  was  Juana,  in  honor  of  Prince 
Juan,  the  son  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  of  Aragon  and  Castile.  After 
Ferdinand's  death,  in  his  honor  the  name  was  changed  to  Fernandina. 
Still  later  it  received  the  name  of  Santiago,  as  a  mark  of  reverence  for 
the  patron  saint  of  Spain,  and  another  change  was  made  a  few  years 
afterward^  when  the  inhabitants,  as  a  proof  of  their  piety,  called  it 
Ave  Maria,  in  honor  of  the  Holy  Virgin.  In  spite  of  all  this  effort  at 
establishing  a  Spanish  name,  the  original  Indian  name  of  Cuba,  which 


66      HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES." 

it  bore  when  the  great  navigator  first  landed  on  its  shores,  has  asserted 
itself  triumphantly  through  all  the  centuries  and  is  now  ineradicable. 

According  to  the  accounts  given  by  Spanish  writers  who  were  con- 
temporary with  the  discovery,  and  the  century  immediately  following, 
the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  Cuba  were  a  generous,  gentle,  hospitable 
people,  by  no  means  energetic,  but  heartily  cordial  and  courteous  to 
the  strangers  who  reached  their  shores.  The  mildness  of  their  climate 
did  not  stimulate  them  to  much  activity  in  cultivation  of  the  soil,  be- 
cause tropical  fruits  and  vegetables  came  with  scarcely  an  effort  on  the 
part  of  the  natives.  Their  implements  and  utensils  were  crude  and 
their  life  simple. 

The  system  of  government  was  by  no  means  complicated.  The  island 
was  divided  into  nine  independent  principalities,  each  under  a  Cacique, 
all  living  in  harmony,  and  warfare  being  almost  unknown.  Their  relig- 
ion was  a  peaceful  one,  without  human  sacrifices  or  cannibalism,  but  the 
priests  had  great  power  through  their  pretense  of  influence  with  spirits 
good  and  evil. 

Of  all  the  people  discovered  by  the  Spanish  in  their  colonization 
of  the  western  hemisphere,  the  Cubans  were  the  most  tractable  to  the 
influences  of  Christianity  so  far  as  their  willingness  to  .accept  the  doc- 
trines was  concerned.  Christianity,  as  practiced  by  the  Spanish  con- 
querors, was  scarcely  that  of  the  highest  type  of  the  faith,  and  the 
inducements  to  accept  it  were  somewhat  violent.  Nevertheless  it  must 
be  noted  that  it  is  from  Spanish  sources  this  testimony  as  to  the  docility 
of  the  Cuban  natives  comes.  Under  these  circumstances  it  becomes  a 
magnified  crime  that  the  Spanish  conquerors  absolutely  exterminated 
the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  native  Cubans  whom  they  found  at  the 
time  of  the  discovery,  and  that  within  little  more  than  a  century,  there 
was  absolutely  not  a  trace  of  native  stock  to  be  found  anywhere  in  the 
island. 

When  Columbus  first  rested  his  eyes  on  the  island  of  Cuba  it 
seemed  to  him  an  enchanted  land.  He  was  charmed  with  its  lofty 
mountains,  its  beautiful  rivers,  and  its  blossoming  groves,  and  in  his 
account  of  the  voyage  he  said:  "Everything  is  green  as  April  in  An- 
dalusia. The  singing  of  the  birds  is  such  that  it  seems  as  if  one  would 
never  desire  to  depart.  There  are  flocks  of  parrots  that  obscure  the 
sun.  There  are  trees  of  a  thousand  species,  each  having  its  particular 
fruit,  and  all  of  marvelous  flavor." 

Columbus  was  first  of  the  opinion  that  he  had  found  an  island,  but 


HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  <TEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES."      C7 

after  following  the  shores  for  many  miles  he  concluded  that  it  was  a 
continent.  He  retained  the  latter  belief  until  his  death,  for  it  was  not 
until  1508  that  the  island  was  circumnavigated,  when  it  was  discovered 
that  it  was  of  about  the  same  area  as  England.  In  a  subsequent  expe- 
dition he  reached  the  coast  of  South  America,  but  he  had  no  apprecia- 
tion of  the  magnitude  of  that  continent,  and  to  him  Cuba  was  the 
grandest  of  his  discoveries  in  the  New  World. 

Cuba  was  twice  visited  by  Columbus  after  its  discovery,  in  April, 
1494,  and  again  in  1502,  and  these  visits  but  confirmed  his  first  opinion 
regarding  the  salubrity  of  the  climate  and  the  wealth  of  the  soil.  His 
sailors  wrested  from  the  natives  large  sums  of  gold  and  silver,  ^and 
this  led  to  the  mistaken  belief  that  mines  of  great  richness  were  with- 
in their  grasp. 

Spain's  Heartless  Treatment  of  Columbus. 

Biography  furnishes  no  parallel  to  the  life  of  Columbus.  Great 
men  there  have  been  who  have  met  with  injustice  and  disappoint- 
ments, but  there  is  perhaps  no  other  instance  of  a  man  whom  disap- 
pointments and  injustice  did  not  dishearten  and  disgust;  who  had 
his  greatness  recognized  in  his  lifetime,  and  yet  was  robbed  of  the  re- 
wards that  it  entitled  him  to. 

It  is  probable  that  before  his  death  Columbus  confided  his  belief 
in  the  wealth  to  be  found  in  Cuba  to  his  son  Diego  Columbus,  for  in 
1511  the  latter  fitted  out  an  expedition  for  the  purpose  of  colonizing 
the  island.  This  company  consisted  of  about  300  men,  under  Diego 
Velasquez,  who  had  accompanied  the  great  explorer  on  his  second 
voyage.  The  first  settlement  was  made  at  Baracoa,  in  the  extreme 
eastern  section,  and  this  village  was  regarded  as  the  capital  of  the 
colony  for  several  years.  In  the  meantime  extensive  settlements  had 
been  made  by  the  Spaniards  in  the  island  of  Jamaica,  and  in  1514  the 
towns  of  Santiago  and  Trinidad  were  founded  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Cuba,  in  order  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  colonies  might  be 
brought  into  closer  communication.  As  immigration  increased,  other 
towns  of  importance  sprung  up,  and  the  island  became  the  base  for 
the  various  operations  against  Mexico.  Baracoa  grew  largely  in  pop- 
ulation, and  the  towns  of  Puerto  Principe  and  Sancti  Espiritus  were 
established  in  the  central  section,  and  San  Juan  de  log  Remedies  on 
the  north  coast.  In  July,  1515,  the  city  of  San  Cristobal  de  la  Habana 
was  planted,  deriving  its  name  from  the  great  Discoverer,  but  this 


€8   HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES." 

name  was  transferred  in  1519  to  the  present  capital,  and  the  original 
town  was  called  Batabano. 

In  1518  the  capital  was  fixed  at  Baracoa,  which  had  by  this  time 
becoine  a  city  of  considerable  importance,  and  the  diocese  of  the  col- 
ony. In  1522  both  the  seat  of  government  and  the  bishopric  were  re- 
moved to  Santiago  de  Cuba.  In  1538  Havana  was  reduced  to  ashes  by 
a  French  privateer;  and  to  prevent  a  similar  disaster  in  future,  the 
Castillo  de  la  Fuerza,  a  fortress  which  still  exists,  was  built  by  Fer- 
nando de  Soto,  governor  of  Cuba,  and  afterwards  famous  for  his  ex- 
plorations in  the  southern  and  western  portions  of  North  America,  as 
well  as  for  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

Using  a  modern  expression,  this  great  fortress,  added  to  her  almost 
perfect  harbor,  gave  Havana  a  wonderful  "boom,"  and  the  city  expe- 
rienced a  remarkable  growth.  The  Spanish  merchantmen  were  ac- 
tively employed  in  carrying  the  wealth  of  Mexico  to  the  Peninsula,  and 
Havana  was  a  convenient  port  for  them  to  secure  supplies  of  provis- 
ions and  water.  In  1549  Gonzales  Perez  de  Angulo  was  appointed 
governor  of  the  island,  and  he  was  so  impressed  with  the  beauties  of 
the  city,  that  he  chose  it  as  his  residence.  Several  of  his  successors  fol- 
lowed his  example,  and  in  1589  it  was  legally  made  the  capital  of  Cuba. 

Early  Government  of  Cuba. 

The  early  records  of  the  island  were  kept  in  so  imperfect  a  manner 
that  it  is  not  possible  to  give  an  accurate  account  of  the  early  govern- 
ors and  their  lieutenants.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment was  at  Santiago  de  Cuba,  and  that  Havana  and  other  towns 
of  minor  importance  were  ruled  by  lieutenants.  In  1538,  Hernando 
de  Soto,  adelantado  of  Florida,  and  also  governor  of  Cuba,  landed  at 
Santiago,  and  remained  a  few  days  before  proceeding  to  the  main- 
land. On  his  departure  he  left  the  government  of  the  island  in  charge 
of  a  lady,  Dona  Isabel  de  Bobadilla,  and  gave  her  for  a  colleague  Don 
Juan  de  Rojas,  who  had  at  one  time  been  lieutenant  governor  of  Ha- 
vana. It  is  from  this  date  that  the  gradual  transference  of  the  seat  of 
power  from  Santiago  to  Havana  may  be  said  to  have  arisen. 

Don  Antonio  de  Chavez  assumed  the  government  in  1547,  and  he 
it  was  who  gave  Havana  its  first  regular  supply  of  water,  bringing  it 
a  distance  of  about  six  miles  from  the  river  Chorrera. 

The  early  settlers  devoted  themselves  principally  to  the  raising  of 
cattle,  paying  very  little  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  or  in  fact 


HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES.'4       69 

to  any  means  of  livelihood  that  called  for  manual  labor.  Much  time 
and  money  was  wasted  in  explorations  for  gold  and  silver,  but  these 
were  invariably  unsuccessful,  for  while  the  precious  metals  have  oc- 
casionally been  found  in  the  island,  the  quantity  has  never  been  suffi- 
cient to  repay  the  labor  of  the  search. 

A  Letter  Written  by  Columbus. 

Nothing  more  interesting  for  tne  conclusion  of  this  chapter  can  be 
offered  than  Columbus'  own  account  of  his  first  view  of  the  island  of 
Cuba.  It  is  as  follows 

"When  I  reached  Juana,  I  followed  its  coast  to  the  westward,  and 
found  it  so  large  that  I  thought  it  must 'be  mainland,  the  province  of 
Cathay;  and  as  I  found  neither  towns  nor  villages  on  the  sea  coast,  but 
only  some  hamlets,  with  the  inhabitants  of  which  I  could  not  hold  con- 
versation, because  they  all  immediately  fled,  I  kept  on  the  same  route, 
thinking  that  I  could  not  fail  to  light  upon  some  large  cities  or  towns. 
At  length,  after  the1  proceeding  of  many  leagues,  and  finding  that  noth- 
ing new  presented  itself,  and  that  the  coast  was  leading  me  northwards 
(which  I  wished  to  avoid,  because  the  winter  had  already  set  in,  and 
it  was  my  intention  to  move  southwards;  and  because  moreover  the 
winds  were  contrary),  I  resolved  not  to  wait  for  a  change  in  the 
weather,  but  to  return  to  a  certain  harbor  which  I  had  remarked,  and 
from  which  I  sent  two  men  ashore  to  ascertain  whether  there  was  any 
king  or  large  cities  in  that  part.  They  journeyed  for  three  days,  and 
found  countless  small  hamlets,  with  numberless  inhabitants,  but  with 
nothing  like  order;  they  therefore  returned.  In  the  meantime  I  had 
learned  from  some  other  Indians,  whom  I  had  seized,  that  this  land 
was  certainly  an  island;  accordingly,  I  followed  the  coast  eastward 
for  a  distance  of  107  leagues,  where  it  ended  in  a  cape.  From  this  cape 
I  saw  another  island  to  the  eastward,  at  a  distance  of  eighteen  leagues 
from  the  former,  to  which  I  gave  the  name  of  La  Espanola.  Thither  I 
went  and  followed  its  northern  coast,  (just  the  same  as  I  had  done  with 
the  coast  of  Juana},  118  full  miles  due  east.  This  island,  like  all 
others,  is  extraordinarily  large,  and  this  one  extremely  so.  In  it  are 
many  seaports,  with  which  none  that  I  know  in  Christendom  can  bear 
comparison,  so  good  and  capacious  that  it  is  a  wonder  to  see.  The 
lands  are  high,  and  there  are  many  lofty  mountains,  with  which  the 
islands  of  Teneriffe  cannot  be  compared.  They  arexall  most  beautiful, 
of  a  thousand  different  shapes,  accessible,  and  covered  with  trees  of 


70   HOW  COLUMBUS  FOUND  THE  "PEARL  OF  THE  ANTILLES." 

a  thousand  kinds,  of  such  great  height  that  they  seem  to  reach  the 
skies.  I  am  told  that  the  trees  never  lose  their  foliage,  and  I  can  well 
understand  it,  for  I  observed  that  they  were  as  green  and  luxuriant  as 
in  Spain  in  the  month  of  May.  Some  were  in  bloom,  others  bearing 
fruit,  and  others  otherwise,  according  to  their  nature.  The  nightin- 
gale was  singing,  as  well  as  other  little  birds  of  a  thousand  different 
kinds,  and  that  in  November,  the  month  in  which  I  was  roaming 
amongst  them.  There  are  palm  trees  of  six  or  eight  kinds,  wonderful 
in  their  beautiful  variety;  but  this  is  the  case  with  all  other  trees  and 
fruits  and  grasses.  It  contains  extraordinary  pine  groves  and  very 
extensive  plains.  There  is  also  honey  and  a  great  variety  of  birds,  and 
many  different  kinds  of  fruits.  In  the  interior  there  are  many  mines 
of  metals,  and  a  population  innumerable." 


CLARA  BARTON  AND  HER  WORK  IN  A  CUBAN  HOSPITAL 


g 

[I] 

X 
H 

O 
H 


r  HISTORICAL  RECORD.  75 

opanish  Powers  of  "Resistance. 

tory  are  more  remarkable  than  the    ease   with 
atry  naturally  fitted  for  defense,  was  subdued  by  a 
invaders.     The  misgovernment  of  the  Visigoths,  the 
.us  and    jealousies,    and    the   discontent    of   numerous 
.ably  the  Jews,  co-operated  to  facilitate  the  conquest  and 
,'.n  the  power  of  resistance.    These  conquerors  were  of  the  Mo- 
jdan  faith,  but  while  they  were  united  by  religion,  they  were  of 
rent  races.    Besides  the  Moors  there  were  the  Arabs,  the  Egyp- 
.ns  and  the  Syrians,  and  when  the  task  of  conquest  was  achieved, 
.nd  the  need  for  unity  removed,  quarrels  arose  between  them.    So  diffi- 
cult was  it  to  prevent  these  quarrels,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
subdivide  the  conquered  territory,  and  to  allot  separate  settlements  to 
the  different  tribes. 

During  the  period  of  Moorish  domination  a  number  of  small  inde- 
pendent kingdoms  were  formed  in  opposition  to  Moslem  rule.  These 
comprised  Castile,  Leon,  Navarre  and  Aragon,  and  sometimes  sepa- 
rately, sometimes  in  combination,  they  were  in  constant  war  with  the 
common  enemy.  The  age  of  the  great  crusades  came,  and  all  Chris- 
tendom was  absorbed  in  the  struggle  against  the  infidel,  both  in  the 
East  and  West.  Spain,  like  Palestine,  had  its  crusading  orders,  which 
vied  with  the  Templars  and  the  Hospitallers  both  in  wealth  and  mili- 
tary distinction.  The  decisive  battle  was  fought  in  July,  1212,  when 
the  combined  forces  of  Castile,  Leon,  Navarre,  Aragon  and  Portugal 
met  the  Mohammedan  army,  and  gained  the  most  celebrated  victory 
ever  obtained  by  the  Christians  over  their  Moslem  foes,  the  latter 
losing,  according  to  the  account  transmitted  to  the  pope,  100,000  killed 
Jind  50,000  prisoners.  The  king  of  Grenada  wras  speedily  forced  to  be- 
come a  vassal  of  Castile,  and  from  this  period  all  danger  from  Moor- 
ish rule  was  over. 

Following  this  time  until  the  different  kingdoms  became  as  one, 
there  is  nothing  in  their  history  deserving  a  detailed  account.  The 
history  of  Spain  as  a  united  state  dates  from  the  union  of  Castile  and 
Aragon  by  the  marriage  of  Isabella  and  Ferdinand,  the  respective  rul- 
ers of  those  kingdoms,  in  1469.  Grenada,  the  last  remaining  posses- 
sion of  the  Moors,  fell  before  the  Spanish  forces  in  1492,  and  Navarre 
was  acquired  in  15X2, 


ORICAL  RECORD. 

milcar  Barca,  at  the  head  of 
ibraltar  and  commenced 
and  which  resulted  in 
almost  all  of  Spain, 
g  of  the  second 
After   a 
ns  were  com- 
of  Rome. 
Silly  sub- 
Hi  than 
«  the 
al 


Spain. 


. 

x 

H 

o 

H 

IX 

w 


SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD.  75 

Weakness  of  Spanish  Powers  of  "Resistance. 

Few  things  in  history  are  more  remarkable  than  the  ease  with 
which  Spain,  a  country  naturally  fitted  for  defense,  was  subdued  by  a 
mere  handful  of  invaders.  The  misgovernment  of  the  Visigoths,  the 
internal  factions  and  jealousies,  and  the  discontent  of  numerous 
classes,  notably  the  Jews,  co-operated  to  facilitate  the  conquest  and 
to.  weaken  the  power  of  resistance.  These  conquerors  were  of  the  Mo- 
hammedan faith,  but  while  they  were  united  by  religion,  they  were  of 
different  races.  Besides  the  Moors  there  were  the  Arabs,  the  Egyp- 
tians and  the  Syrians,  and  when  the  task  of  conquest  was  achieved, 
and  the  need  for  unity  removed,  quarrels  arose  between  them.  So  diffi- 
cult was  it  to  prevent  these  quarrels,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
subdivide  the  conquered  territory,  and  to  allot  separate  settlements  to 
the  different  tribes. 

During  the  period  of  Moorish  domination  a  number  of  small  inde- 
pendent kingdoms  were  formed  in  opposition  to  Moslem  rule.  These 
comprised  Castile,  Leon,  Navarre  and  Aragon,  and  sometimes  sepa- 
rately, sometimes  in  combination,  they  were  in  constant  war  with  the 
common  enemy.  The  age  of  the  great  crusades  came,  and  all  Chris- 
tendom was  absorbed  in  the  struggle  against  the  infidel,  both  in  the 
East  and  West.  Spain,  like  Palestine,  had  its  crusading  orders,  which 
vied  with  the  Templars  and  the  Hospitallers  both  in  wealth  and  mili- 
ta^ry  distinction.  The  decisive  battle  was  fought  in  July,  1212,  when 
the  combined  forces  of  Castile,  Leon,  Navarre,  Aragon  and  Portugal 
met  the  Mohammedan  army,  and  gained  the  most  celebrated  victory 
ever  obtained  by  the  Christians  over  their  Moslem  foes,  the  latter 
losing,  according  to  the  account  transmitted  to  the  pope,  100,000  killed 
und  50,000  prisoners.  The  king  of  Grenada  was  speedily  forced  to  be- 
come a  vassal  of  Castile,  and  from  this  period  all  danger  from  Moor- 
ish rule  was  over. 

Following  this  time  until  the  different  kingdoms  became  as  one, 
there  is  nothing  in  their  history  deserving  a  detailed  account.  The 
history  of  Spain  as  a  united  state  dates  from  the  union  of  Castile  and 
Aragon  by  the  marriage  of  Isabella  and  Ferdinand,  the  respective  rul- 
ers of  those  kingdoms,  in  1469.  Grenada,  the  last  remaining  posses- 
sion of  the  Moors,  fell  before  the  Spanish  forces  in  1492,  and  Navarre 
was  acquired  in  1512, 


4. 


76  SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD. 

Discoveries  in  America. 

The  year  1492,  during  the  reign  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  wit- 
nessed the  discovery  of  America*  Spain  had  become  consolidated  into 
one  empire  from  the  Pyrenees  to  the  strait  of  Gibraltar,  and  civil  wars 
were  at  an  end.  Maritime  exploration  was  the  task  of  the  age,  and 
under  the  patronage  of  Isabella,  Columbus  planted  the  flag  of  Spain 
in  the  West  Indies.  This  grand  achievement  led  to  the  opening  of  a 
splendid  continent,  teeming  with  riches,  for  Spanish  adventure  and 
despoliation.  In  1498,  Columbus  landed  on  the  continent  of  South 
America,  and  in  a  few  years  the  entire  western  coast  was  explored  by 
subsequent  adventurers.  In  1512,  Ponce  de  Leon  discovered  Florida, 
and  the  following  year,  Balboa  crossed  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and 
gazed  for  the  first  time  upon  the  Pacific. 

The  history  of  Spain,  in  connection  with  its  discovery  and  settle- 
ment of  the  New  World,  is  one  long  record  of  revolting  crime.  New 
England  was  settled  by  a  people  who  came  to  turn  the  wilderness 
into  a  city,  but  the  Spanish  invaders  went  to  the  southern  shores  to 
turn  the  cities  of  the  natives  into  a  wilderness.  In  Mexico  and  Peru 
they  found  a  civilization  the  equal  and  in  many  respects  the  superior 
of  their  own.  With  cross  and  sword  in  hand,  in  the  name  of  religion, 
but  with  the  lust  for  gold  in  their  hearts,  their  coming  was  invaria- 
bly a  signal  for  every  kind  of  attack  that  malignity  could  devise  or 
avarice  invent.  Wherever  they  went,  desolation  followed  them.  They 
looted  the  towns,  pillaged  the  cities,  murdered  the  people;  they 
burned  alike  the  hovels  of  the  poor,  and  the  palaces  of  the  rich. 

The  value  of  the  treasure  that  Spain  secured  from  Mexico  and 
Peru  never  can  be  known  accurately;  but  it  is  certain  that  within 
sixty  years  from  the  time  of  the  landing  of  Columbus  she  had  ad- 
vanced to  the  position  of  the  richest  and  most  powerful  nation  in 
Europe.  Victorious  in  Africa  and  Italy,  Philip  II.,  who  was  then  the 
reigning  monarch,  carried  war  into  France,  and  ruled  in  Germany,  as 
well  as  in  those  provinces  now  known  as  Belgium  and  Holland.  The 
money  necessary  to  carry  on  these  vast  wars  of  conquest  was  undoubt- 
edly acquired  in  the  New  World.  When  Cortez  approached  the  palace 
of  Montezuma,  the  King's  messengers  met  him,  bearing  presents  from 
their  lord.  These  gifts  included  200  pounds  of  gold  for  the  comman- 
der, and  two  pounds  of  gold  for  each  of  his  army.  Prescott,  in  his 
"Conquest  of  Peru,"  says  that  when  the  Spanish  soldiers  captured  the 


SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD.  W 

capital  of  that  country  they  spent  days  in  melting  down  the  golden 
vessels  which  they  found  in  temples  and  palaces.  On  one  voyage  a 
single  ship  carried  to  Spain  f  15,500,000  in  gold,  besides  vast  treasures 
of  silver  and  jewels. 

The  Horrors  of  the  Inquisition. 

The  Inquisition  was  a  tribunal  in  the  Roman  Catholic  church  for 
the  discovery,  repression  and  punishment  of  heresy  and  unbelief.  It 
originated  in  Rome  when  Christianity  was  established  as  the  religion 
of  the  Empire,  but  its  history  in  Spain  and  her  dependencies  has  ab- 
sorbed almost  entirely  the  real  interest  in  the  painful  subject. 

As  an  ordinary  tribunal,  similar  to  those  of  other  countries,  it  had 
existed  there  from  an  early  period.  Its  functions,  however,  in  those 
times  were  little  more  than  nominal;  but  early  in  the  reign  of  Ferdi- 
nand and  Isabella,  on  account  of  the  alleged  discovery  of  a  plot  among 
the  Jews  to  overthrow  the  government,  an  application  was  made  to 
the  Pope  to  permit  its  re-organization.  But  in  reviving  the  tribunal, 
the  Crown  assumed  to  itself  the  right  of  appointing  the  inquisitors, 
and  of  controlling  their  entire  action.  For  this  reason  Catholic  writ- 
ers regard  the  Spanish  inquisition  as  a  state  tribunal,  and  refer  to  the 
bull  of  the  Pope,  Sixtus  IV.,  protesting  against  it.  Notwithstanding 
this  protest,  however,  the  Spanish  Crown  maintained  its  assumption. 
Inquisitors  were  appointed,  and  in  1483  the  tribunal  commenced  its 
terrible  career,  under  Thomas  de  Torquemada. 

The  inquisition  arrested  on  suspicion,  tortured  for  confession,  and 
then  punished  with  fire.  One  witness  brought  the  victim  to  the  rack, 
two  to  the  flames.  The  prisoner  was  not  confronted  with  his  accuser, 
nor  were  their  names  ever  made  known  to  him.  The  court  was  held 
in  a  gloomy  dungeon  at  midnight,  a  dim  light  gleamed  from  smoking 
torches,  and  the  grand  inquisitor,  enveloped  in  a  black  robe,  glared  at 
his  victim  through  holes  cut  in  the  hood.  Before  the  examination,  the 
accused,  whether  man,  maid  or  matron,  was  stripped  and  stretched 
upon  the  rack,  where  tendons  could  be  strained  without  cracking, 
bones  crushed  without  breaking,  and  the  body  tortured  without 
dying. 

When  the  prisoner  was  found  guilty,  his  tongue  was  cut  out,  so 
that  he  could  neither  speak  nor  swallow.  On  the  morning  of  the  exe- 
cution a  breakfast  of  rare  delicacies  was  placed  before  the  sufferer, 
and  with  ironical  invitation  he  was  urged  to  enjoy  his  last  repast. 


78  SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD. 

Then  the  prisoner  was  led  to  the  funeral  pyre,  where  an  address  was 
given,  lauding  the  inquisition,  condemning  heresy,  and  commanding 
obedience  to  the  Pope  and  the  Emperor.  Then,  while  hymns  were 
sung,  blazing  fagots  were  piled  about  the  victim,  until  his  body  was 
reduced  to  a  heap  of  ashes. 

Some  conception  of  the  appalling  cruelty  of  the  inquisition  under 
Torquemada  may  be  formed  from  the  statement  that  during  the  six- 
teen years  of  his  tenure  of  office  nearly  10,000  persons  were  condemned 
to  the  flames,  and  the  property  of  97,000  others  was  confiscated. 

Spanish  Rule  in  Holland. 

Horrible  as  the  atrocities  of  the  inquisition  were  in  the  mother 
country,  it  is  doubtful  if  they  ever  reached  the  acme  of  savage  cruelty 
that  they  attained  during  the  period  when  Spain  was  seeking  to 
strengthen  the  fetters  with  which  she  nominally  held  Holland  in  her 
grasp.  The  Spanish  government,  from  the  time  when  it  first  acquired 
a  place  among  nations,  has  never  been  satisfied  with  a  reasonable 
tribute  from  its  dependencies.  Its  plan  ever  has  been  to  exact  all, 
and  leave  nothing  to  supply  more  than  a  miserable  existence.  So  it 
was  in  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century,  when  Philip  II.,  greedy  of 
the  treasures  of  Holland,  determined  to  spoil  them  of  their  wealth, 
and  planned  to  establish  the  inquisition  among  them  by  the  sword. 

The  duke  of  Alva,  already  famous  for  his  harshness  and  bigotry, 
was  named  commander  of  the  forces,  with  almost  unlimited  powers 
He  entered  the  Netherlands  with  about  20,000  tried  troops,  ready  foi 
cruelties,  and  all  hopes  of  peace  or  mercy  fled  before  them.  There  was 
a  great  and  desperate  exodus  of  the  inhabitants;  thousands  took 
refuge  in  England,  Denmark  and  Germany,  and  despair  and  helpless- 
ness alone  remained  to  greet  the  cold  Spaniard  and  his  train  of  ortho- 
dox executioners.  The  Council  of  Troubles — the  "Blood-tribunal" — 
was  immediately  established,  and  the  land  was  filled,  with  blood.  In 
a  short  time  he  totally  annihilated  every  privilege  of  the  people,  and 
with  unrelenting  cruelty  put  multitudes  of  them  to  death. 

The  more  the  peasants  rebelled,  the  crueler  were  the  methods  of 
Alva.  Men  were  tortured,  beheaded,  roasted  before  slow  fires, 
pinched  to  death  with  hot  tongs,  broken  on  the  wheel,  flayed  alive. 
On  one  occasion  the  skins  of  leaders  were  stripped,  from  their  living 
bodies,  and  stretched,  upon  drums  for  beating  the  funeral  march  of 
r  brethren  to  the  gallows.  During  the  course  of  six  years  A"va 


SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD.  79 

brought  charges  of  heresy  and  treason  against  30,000  inhabitants,  and 
made  the  infamous  boast  that,  in  addition  to  the  multitudes  killed  in 
battle  and  massacred  after  victory,  he  had  consigned  18,000  persons 
to  the  executioner. 

This  unholy  war  with  the  Netherlands  lasted  with  occasional  ces- 
sations of  hostilities  for  eighty  years,  and  during  its  progress  Spain 
buried  350,000  of  her  sons  and  allies  in  Holland,  spent  untold  millions 
in  the  attempted  destruction  of  freedom,  and  sunk  from  the  first  power 
in  Europe,  an  empire  whose  proud  boast  it  had  been  that  upon  her  pos- 
sessions the  sun  never  set,  to  the  level  of  a  fourth-rate  country,  cruel 
in  government,  superstitious  in  religion,  and  ever  an  enemy  to 
progress. 

Expulsion  of  the  Moors. 

In  addition  to  the  terrible  drain  upon  the  country  from  losses  in 
war,  the  expulsion  of  the  Jews  and  the  Moors  was  productive  of  the 
direst  results.  In  1609  all  the  Moriscoes  were  ordered  to  depart  from 
the  Peninsula  within  three  days.  The  penalty  of  death  was  declared 
against  all  who  failed  to  obey,  and  against  any  Christians  who  should 
stielter  the  recalcitrant.  The  edict  was  obeyed,  but  it  was  a  blow  from 
which  Spain  never  recovered.  The  Moriscoes  were  the  back-bone  of 
the  industrial  population,  not  only  in  trade  and  manufactures,  but 
also  in  agriculture.  The  haughty  and  indolent  Spaniards  had  will- 
ingly left  what  they  considered  degrading  employment  to  their  in- 
feriors. The  Moors  had  introduced  into  Spain  the  cultivation  of  sugar, 
cotton,  rice  and  silk.  In  manufactures  and  commerce  they  had  shown 
superiority  to  the  Christian  inhabitants,  and  many  of  their  products 
were  eagerly  sought  for  by  other  countries.  All  these  advantages 
were  sacrificed  to  an  insane  desire  for  religious  unity. 

The  reigns  of  Philip  III.  and  Philip  IV.  witnessed  a  fearful  accel- 
eration in  the  decline  of  Spain  by  the  contests  with  the  Dutch  and 
with  the  German  Protestants  in  the  Thirty  Years'  War,  the  wars  with 
France,  and  the  rebellion  of  Portugal  in  1640,  which  had  been  united 
to  Spain  by  Philip  II.  The  reign  of  Charles  II.  was  still  more  unfor- 
tunate, and  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  the  war  of  the  Spanish  suc- 
cession. 

Under  Charles  III.  (1759-1788),  a  wise  and  enlightened  prince,  the 
second  great  revival  of  the  country  commenced,  and  trade  and 
commerce  began  to  show  signs  of  returning  activity.  Previous  to  his 


80  SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD. 

accession  to  the  throne,  Spain  appeared  to  be  a  corpse,  over  which  the 
powers  of  Europe  could  contend  •  at  will.  Suddenly  men  were 
astounded  to  see  that  country  rise  with  renewed  vigor  to  play  once 
more  an  important  part  on  the  international  stage.  Commerce  and 
agriculture  were  developed,  native  manufactures  were  encouraged  in 
every  way  possible,  and  an  attempt  wras  made  to  remove  all  prejudices 
against  trade,  among  the  nobles.  Meritorious  as  these  reforms  w^ere, 
it  would  give  a  false  impression  to  represent  them  as  wholly  success- 
ful. The  regeneration  of  Spain  was  by  no  means  accomplished,  and 
many  of  the  abuses  wrhich  had  been  growing  for  centuries,  survived 
the  attempt  to  effect  their  annihilation.  One  of  the  chief  causes  of  this 
failure  was  the  corruption  and  ignorance  of  the  lowrer  officials;  and  a 
large  portion  of  the  population  remained,  to  a  great  extent,  sunk  in 
sloth  and  superstition,  in  spite  of  all  that  was  done  in  their  behalf. 

During  the  inglorious  reign  of  Charles  'IV.  (1788-1808),  who  left  the 
management  of  affairs  in  the  hands  of  the  incapable  Godoy,  (at  once 
the  queen's  lover  and  the  king's  prime  minister),  a  war^  broke  out  with 
Britain,  which  was  productive  of  nothing  but  disaster  to  the  Span- 
iard's. Charles  finally  abdicated  in  favor  of  his  son,  the  Prince  of  Astu- 
rias,  who  ascended  the  throne  as  Ferdinand  VII.  Forced  by  Napoleon 
to  resign  all  claims  to  the  Spanish  crown,  Ferdinand  became  the  pris- 
oner of  the  French  in  the  year  of  his  accession,  and  in  the  same  year, 
Joseph,  the  brother  of  the  French  emperor,  was  declared  King  of 
Spain,  and  set  out  for  Madrid  to  assume  the  kingdom  thus  assigned 
him.  But  Spanish  loyalty  was  too  profound  to  be  daunted  even  by  the 
awe-inspiring  powrer  of  the  great  Napoleon.  For  the  first  time  he 
found  himself  confronted,  not  by  terrified  and  selfish  rulers,  but  by  an 
infuriated  people.  The  rising  on  Spain  commenced  the  popular  move- 
ment which  ultimately  proved  fatal  to  his  power. 

In  July,  1808,  England,  on  solicitation,  made  peace  with  Spain, 
recognized  Ferdinand  VII.  as  king,  and  sent  an  army  to  aid  the  Span- 
ish insurrection.  Joseph  invaded  the  country  on  July  9,  defeated  the 
Spaniards  at  Rio  Seco,  and  entered  Madrid  on  the  20th.  But  the  de- 
feat of  Dupont  at  Baylen  by  the  veteran  Spanish  general  Castanos 
somewhat  altered  the  position  of  affairs,  and  Joseph,  after  a  residence 
of  ten  days  in  his  capital,  was  compelled  to  evacuate  it. 

Meanwhile  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  afterwards  Duke  of  Wellington, 
at  the  head  of  the  British  auxiliary  force,  had  landed  at  Mondego  bay, 
and  began  the  Peninsular  war  by  defeating  the  French  at  Roliza  and 


SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD.  81 

Vimiero.  In  November,  1808,  Napoleon,  who  had  been  preceded  by 
Ney  with  100,000  men,  entered  Spain  and  assumed  the  command.  For 
a  time  his  armies  were  completely  successful.  In  less  than  a  week  the 
Spanish  forces  were  broken  through  and  scattered,  and  Joseph  was 
returned  to  Madrid.  The  victory  was  a  short-lived  one,  however,  for, 
in  April,  1809,  General  Wellesley  arrived  in  Portugal  and  at  once  com- 
menced operations.  By  dint  of  masterly  generalship  and  bold  enter- 
prise he  finally  succeeded  in  driving  the  French  from  the  country. 
Napoleon,  loth  to  lose  his  hold  in  the  Peninsula,  sent  Soult,  his  most 
trusted  general,  to  stop  the  ingress  of  the  British  into  France,  but  the 
battles  of  the  Pyrenees,  (24th  July— 1st  August,  1813),  and  of  the 
Nivelle,  Orthez,  and  Toulouse,  in  the  beginning  of  1814,  brought  to  a 
victorious  conclusion  this  long  and  obstinate  contest. 

Loss  of  American  Colonies. 


T. 


After  the  convulsions  it  had  endured,  Spain  required  a  period  of 
firm  but  conciliatory  government,  but  the  ill  fate  of  the  country  gave 
the  throne  at  this  crisis  one  of  her  worst  rulers.  Ferdinand  VII.  had 
no  conception  of  the  duties  of  a  sovereign;  his  public  conduct  was 
regulated  by  pride  and  superstition,  and  his  private  life  was  stained 
by  the  grossest  dissipations. 

For  six  years  Spain  groaned  under  a  "Reign  of  terror,"  and  isolated 
revolts  only  served  as  the  occasion  for  fresh  cruelties.  The  finances 
were  squandered  in  futile  expeditions  to  recover  the  South  American 
colonies,  which  had  taken  advantage  of  Napoleon's  conquest  of  Spain 
to  establish  their  independence.  In  his  straits  for  money,  Ferdinand 
ventured  to  outrage  national  sentiment  by  selling  Florida  to  the 
United  States  in  1819.  Louisiana  had  been  ceded  to  France  in  1803, 
and  when  Mexico  gained  her  independence  in  1822,  the  last  of  the  ter- 
ritory under  Spanish  rule  in  North  America  was  lost  to  her. 

The  reign  of  Ferdinand's  daughter,  Isabella  II.,  was  disturbed  by 
the  Carlist  rebellion  in  1834-1839,  in  which  England  -aided  the  Queen 
with  an  army  commanded  by  Sir  De  Lacy  Evans.  Spain,  under  Isa- 
bella II.,  presents  a  dismal  picture  of  faction  and  intrigue.  Policies  of 
state  had  forced  her  into  a  distasteful  marriage  with  her  cousin,  Fran- 
cis of  Assisi,  and  she  sought  compensation  in  sensual  indulgences,  en- 
deavoring to  cover  the  dissoluteness  of  her  private  life  by  a  supersti- 
tious devotion  to  religion.  She  had  to  contend  with  continual  revolts, 


82  SPAIN'S  BLACK  HISTORICAL  RECORD. 

and  was  finally  compelled,  in  1868,  to  abdicate  the  throne  and  fly  to 
France  for  her  life. 

A  provisional  government  was  formed  with  Serrano  as  President, 
and  a  new  constitution  wTas  formed,  by  which  an  hereditary  king  was 
to  rule,  in  conjunction  with  a  senate  and  a  popular  chamber.  The 
throne  was  offered  to  Amadeus  of  Aosta,  the  second  son  of  Victor 
Emmanuel,  in  1870,  and  he  made  an  honest  effort  to  discharge  the  diffi- 
cult duties  of  the  office.  But  he  found  the  task  too  hard,  and  'too  dis- 
tasteful, and  resigned  in  1873.  A  provisional  republic  was  then 
formed,  of  which  Castelar  was  the  guiding  spirit.  But  the  Spaniards, 
trained  to  regard  monarchy  with  superstitious  reverence,  had  no  sym- 
pathy with  republican  institutions.  Don  Carlos  seized  the  opportunity 
to  revive  the  claim  of  inalienable  male  succession,  and  raised  the 
standard  of  revolt.  Castelar  finally  threw  up  the  office  in  disgust,  and 
the  administration  was  undertaken  by  a  committee  of  officers. 
Anarchy  was  suppressed  with  a  strong  hand,  but  it  was  obvious  that 
order  could  only  be  restored  by  reviving  the  monarchy.  Foreign  princes 
were  no  longer  thought  of,  and  Alfonso  XII.,  the  young  son  of  the 
exiled  Isabella,  was  restored  to  the  throne  in  1874.  His  first  task  was 
to  terminate  the  Carlist  war,  which  still  continued  in  the  North,  and 
this  was  successfully  accomplished  in  1876.  He  died  in  1885,  and  the 
regency  was  entrusted  to  his  widow,  Christina  ol  Austria.  On  May 
17th,  1886,  a  posthumous  son  was  born,  who  is  now  the  titular  King 
of  Spain. 


CHAPTEK  IV. 
BUCCANEERING  AND  THE  WARFARE  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN. 

Spam's  Stolen  Treasures  from  Mexico  and  Peru  Tempt  Her  European  Rivals 
— The  Spanish  Main  the  Scene  of  Piratical  Plundering  for  Many  Years 
— Havana  and  Other  Cities  Threatened — Great  Britain  Takes  Santo 
Domingo — American  Troops  from  the  British  Colonies  Capture  Havana 
— Victory  on  Land  and  Sea  Is  Saddened  by  Many  Deaths  of  Brave 
Americans  from  Fever — Lessons  of  the  First  Capture  of  Havana. 

After  the  acquisition  of  rich  and  populous  countries  in  the  western 
hemisphere  had  begun,  Spain* discovered  that  her  new-found  wealth 
was  not  to  be  hers  without  a  struggle.  From  the  harbors  of  Mexico  and  • 
Peru,  Spanish  galleons  sailed  with  their  loads  of  treasure,  stolen  from 
the  Montezumas  and  the  Incas.  Year  after  year,  rich  argosies,  laden 
with  gold  and  silver  to  replenish  the  extravagant  treasury  of  the  Span- 
ish crown,  crossed  the  seas.  The  Atlantic  ocean,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and 
the  Caribbean  sea  were  furrowed  with  the  keels  of  Spanish  fleets,  at  a 
time  when  the  European  nations  scarcely  maintained  the  pretense  of 
friendship  with  one  another. 

It  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  these  rich  prizes  should  go  un- 
molested. England  and  France  knew  quite  well  that  they  were  plun- 
dered from  the  native  treasuries  of  the  new  world,  and  no  reason  ap- 
peared why  Spain  in  turn  should  not  be  robbed  of  her  plunder.  So 
the  Spanish  Main,  the  Caribbean  sea,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the 
adjacent  waters,  became  the  haunt  of  buccaneers  and  pirates,  some 
under  flags  of  European  nations,  and  others  under  the  black  flag.  Des- 
perate fights  were  the  lot  of  almost  every  Spanish  galleon  that  sailed 
those  seas,  and  fabulous  prizes  sometimes  were  taken  under  the  skull 
and  crossbones.  Spanish  men  of  war  sailed  back  and  forth  to  convoy 
the  merchant  fleets^  but  their  protection  was  not  always  sufficient. 
Pirates  could  obtain  frigates  with  guns  as  good  as  those  of  Spain,  and 
with  the  temptation  of  wealth  before  them  they  braved  conflict  when- 
ever it  was  necessary. 

The  harbors  of  Key  West,  the  Dry  Tortugas  and  others  along  the 
Florida  keys,  as  well  as  many  of  those  in  the  Bahamas,  the  West  Indies 

83 


84  BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN. 

and  the  Antilles,  were  the  haunts  of  buccaneers  and  privateers  who 
careened  their  ships  on  shore  for  repairs,  or  held  high  revel  on  the 
.beaches  after  their  triumph  over  some  Spanish  treasure  fleet.  Those 
were  bloody  days,  full  of  dramatic  excitement.  From  them  some  of 
the  most  notable  writers  of  fiction  have  drawn  their  tales,  which  enter- 
tain readers  of  to-day. 

What  was  done  with  all  the  gold  thus  garnered  in  sea  fights  before 
it  reached  the  ports  of  Spain,  is  hard  to  know.  Sometimes  mysterious 
strangers  appeared  in  the  seaport  towns  of  France  and  England  and 
even  the  American  colonies  in  their  younger  days,  to  spend  money 
lavishly  for  a  short  time  and  then  disappear  as  mysteriously  as  they 
came.  These  men  were  reputed  to  be  pirate  chiefs  seeking  relaxation 
from  their  customary  life.  Others  .of  the  buccaneers  hoarded  their 
wealth  in  hiding  places  known  only  to  themselves,  the  secret  of  which 
must  have  died  with  them,  while  the  gold  remains  undiscovered.  All 
through  the  Florida  keys  and  the  West»India  islands,  as  well  as  along 
the  coasts  of  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas,  traditions  still  exist  in  relation 
to  these  treasure  hoards.  Sanguine  people  are  still  digging  in  the 
sands  of  these  beaches,  in  the  hope  that  some  day  they  will  unearth  a 
sea  chest  full  of  Spanish  doubloons,  or  the  golden  ornaments  stripped 
from  Aztec  idols.  Some  finds  indeed  have  been  made,  but  those  who 
make  them  are  not  apt  to  reveal  the  secret  which  might  guide  another 
to  a  successful  search. 

Piratical  Raids  Trouble  Havana. 

Having  discovered  the  wealth  that  could  be  obtained  by  attacks 
upon  the  Spanish  fleets,  the  pirates  began  to  think  of  the  cities  which 
were  themselves  the  source  of  much  of  this  wealth.  The  result  of  this 
was  that  they  began  to  make  descents  upon  the  coasts,  not  only  of  Cuba, 
but  of  the  neighboring  islands  of  Jamaica  and  Santo  Domingo.  The  ex- 
pense occasioned  by  the  attempts  to  suppress  these  incursions  became  so 
great  toward  the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century,  that  it  became  necessary 
to  impose  a  special  tax  to  cover  it. 

Fortresses  at  all  the  fortified  harbors  were  improved,  and  the  power 
of  the  military  officials  increased  as  their  importance  increased,  and  that 
of  the  civil  governors  diminished.  It  was  as  a  direct  result  of  these 
conditions  that  the  office  of  Captain  General  was  created,  in  which  the 
governor  shared  military  and  civil  authority  alike.  Havana  fortifica- 
tions were  hastened  to  completion  and  the  preparations  for  defense 


BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN.  8K 

began,  which  never  have  been  materially  improved  to  this  day.  The 
three  fortresses  of  El  Morro,  La  Punta  and  La  Cabana  were  built  before 
the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century  and  still  were  standing  as  the  most 
effective  defenses  of  Havana  when  our  wrar  with  Spain  began. 

It  was  during  the  same  period,  that  African  negroes  were  first  in- 
troduced into  Cuba.  Slavery  had  proved  so  severe  upon  the  aborigines, 
that  their  numbers  had  almost  reached  the  vanishing  point,  and  there 
was  a  lack  of  sufficient  labor  for  the  cultivation  of  tobacco  and  sugar 
cane,  the  chief  products  of  Spanish  agriculture  in  the  island.  It  was  to 
promote  the  production  of  these  new  luxuries  that  the  African  slave 
trade  was  begun.  A  royal  license  from  the  King  of  Spain  was  obtained 
to  guarantee  the  privilege  of  importing  negroes. 

Then  began  that  foul  commerce  which  was  another  black  stain  on 
the  history  of  Spanish  colonization  of  the  western  hemisphere.  Spanish 
ships  descended  upon  the  African  coasts  and  kidnapped  thousands  of 
negroes  for  service  in  the  Cuban  cane  and  tobacco  fields.  The  horrors 
of  the  trade  cannot  be  magnified  and  are  too  distressing  for  repetition. 
It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  in  Havana  it  is  understood  that  the  harbor 
was  free  from  sharks  which  now  swarm  there,  until  they  followed  the 
slave  ships  from  the  African  coasts  in  multitudes,  for  the  feast  of  slaves 
who  were  thrown  overboard  on  the  long  voyage.  Scores  and  hundreds 
of  Africans  died  during  the  journey,  from  the  hardships  they  were 
compelled  to  undergo,  and  Havana  harbor  itself  was  the  last  grave  of 
many  of  these  hapless  ones. 


Great  Britain  Threatens  Spanish  Possessions. 

It  was  just  after  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century  and  during 
the  rule  of  Oliver  Cromwell  in  England,  that  the  Spanish  governors  of 
Cuba  began  to  fear  an  attack  by  a  British  fleet.  A  squadron  sailed  in 
1655  with  the  design  of  capturing  Jamaica,  a  purpose  which  was  easily 
accomplished.  That  island  was  taken  by  Great  Britain,  the  Spanish 
forces  defending  it  were  utterly  defeated,  the  governor  was  killed,  and 
many  of  the  inhabitants  removed,  in  consequence,  to  Cuba.  From 
Jamaica  the  same  fleet  sailed  for  Havana,  but  the  attack  was  repulsed 
and  the  ships  abandoned  the  attempt.  Except  for  the  encroachments  of 
the  French  upon  the  island  of  Santo  Domingo,  and  the  continual  pirati- 
cal incursions  of  French  and  English  buccaneers,  the  Spanish  in  the 
West  Indies  were  not  threatened  with  any  more  hostilities  except  by 


86  BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN. 

their  own  internal  dissensions  until  1762.  At  that  time  Spain  and  Eng- 
land were  at  war,  Spain  in  alliance  with  the  French,  and  it  was  decided 
by  the  British  government  that  Cuba  was  a  vulnerable  possession  and 
a  valuable  one  that  ought  to  be  taken. 

The  capture  of  Havana  by  forces  under  the  English  flag  fills  little 
space  in  the  history  of  England  and  Spain,  because  of  the  rriagnitude 
of  the  interests  involved  elsewhere.  It  is  almost  forgotten  in  America, 
in  spite  of  the  bearing  of  all  its  contemporarj'  incidents  upon  the  rap- 
idly approaching  revolution,  and  yet  it  was  an  achievement  of  the  col- 
onial troops  and  consequently  the  first  assault  upon  Cuba  by  Americans. 

It  was  an  event  of  the  first  importance  in  its  own  day  and  contained 
lessons  of  the  first  moment  for  the  guidance  of  those  who  had  to  plan 
the  conduct  of  the  war  against  Spain  in  1898.  It  proved  that  American 
troops  under  efficient  officers  could  take  the  field  wTith  success  against 
double  their  number  of  Spaniards  fully  provisioned  and  strongly  in- 
trenched. It  proved  that  Havana  could  be  successfully  assaulted  by  a 
combined  military  and  naval  force,  regardless  of  her  picturesque  but 
obsolete  fortifications.  Spain's  lack  of  administrative  ability  in  the 
later  war  as  well  as  in  the  first,  destroying  any  advantage  to  be  derived 
from  balls  and  cannon.  On  the  other  side  it  proved  that  Americans  had 
to  look  forward  to  a  considerable  loss  of  life  as  a  result  of  climatic 
conditions,  if  they  attempted  to  conduct  hostile  operations  in  Cuba  dur- 
ing the  summer  season. 

The  utter  incapacity  for  straightforward,  pertinacious  fighting,  which 
both  Napoleon  and  the  Duke  of  Wellington  found  in  the  Spanish  army 
during  the  Peninsular  war,  was  as  conspicuous  fifty  years  before,  when 
the  Americans  took  Havana,  and  may  rightly  be  argued  as  perpetually 
inherent  in  the  national  character;  for  though  the  annals  of  Spain  are 
filled  with  instances  of  individual  courage  of  the  first  rank,  demoraliza- 
tion sets  in  as  soon  as  they  come  together  in  numbers  in  the  face  of  a 
civilized  foe.  Their  chief  maneuver  in  the  course  of  a  century  and  a 
half,  has  been  just  plain  running  away.  The  victorious  Wellington, 
seeing  his  Spanish  allies  running  for  dear  life  just  after  he  had  whipped 
the  opposing  French  line  in  the  last  battle  of  the  peninsular  campaign, 
was  moved  to  remark  that  he  had  seen  many  curious  things  in  his  life, 
but  never  before  20,000  men  engaged  in  a  foot  race. 

Yet  the  fight  made  by  the  Spaniards  in  Havana  during  the  attack 
of  the  British  and  colonial  forces  in  1762  is  the  one  notable  instance  of 
a  prolonged  struggle  between  men  who  speak  English  and  men  who 
speak  Spanish.  History  may  be  searched  in  vain,  either  in  the  old  or 


BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN.  87 

new  world,  for  a  defense  as  able  in  point  of  generalship  or  as  stubborn 
in  resistance  as  the  Spaniards  made  at  the  siege  of  Havana.  In  all 
other  cases,  from  the  Elizabethan  campaigns  in  Holland  to  the  war 
with  Mexico,  the  men  educated  in  the  Spanish  school  of  arms  have 
been  content  to  spend  their  energies  upon  a  single  assault  and  then 
flee,  sometimes  even  when  the  odds  were  greatly  in  their  favor. 

The  English  Armada  left  Portsmouth  .on  March  5th,  1762,  under 
the  command  of  the  gallant  Admiral  Pococke  and  Lord  Albemarle,  the 
force  moving  in  seven  divisions.  It  consisted  of  nineteen  ships  of  the 
line,  eighteen  frigates  or  smaller  men-of-war,  and  150  transports  con- 
taining about  10,000  soldiers,  nearly  all  infantry.  At  the  Island  of 
Hayti,  then  called  Hispanola,  the  British  were  joined  by  the  success- 
ful expedition  from  Martinique.  Together  they  sat,  down  before 
Havana,  July  6th,  1762. 

Spain's  Intellectual  Dry  Rot. 

Spain,  suffering,  as  it  suffers  to-day,  from  intellectual  dry  rot,  had 
known  for  weeks  of  the  intended  beleagtierinent.  Then,  as  now,  noth- 
ing adequate  was  done  to  meet  it.  The  Governor  of  Havana,  the  Mar- 
quis de  Gonzalez,  was  a  gallant  soldier,  as  he  was  to  prove;  but  that 
ounce  of  prevention  which  is  proverbially  worth  more  than  the  pound 
of  cure,  was  not  taken  by  him,  and  the  British  found  the  fortifications 
in  a  partially  ruinous  condition,  and  the  fourteen  ships  of  the  line 
which  were  lying  in  the  harbor  before  the  city  in  such  a  state  that  they 
could  hardly  be  called  in  commission.  The  Spanish  army  of  defense 
numbered  27,000  men,  .and  was  in  better  condition;  but  the  Spanish 
sailors  were  utterly  demoralized  by  the  granting  of  too  much  shore  lib- 
erty, and  the  best  use  the  Spaniard  could  put  his  fighting  ships  to  was 
by  sinking  them  at  the  entrance  to  the  anchorage  to  prevent  the  en- 
trance of  the  British  fleet.  Once  the  enemy  was  before  tlje  city,  how- 
ever, all  was  activity.  The  fortifications,  which  were  too  newly  erected 
to  be  quite  incapable  of  repair,  were  set  in  order,  the  guns  of  Morro 
Castle  and  of  the  fort  known  as  the  Puntal,  across  from  it,  were 
trained  on  the  advancing  foe,  and  the  Spanish  ships  were  sunk,  as  has 
been  said. 

Those  familiar  with  the  history  of  English  administrative  methods 
during  this  period  will  find  little  to  choose  between  them  and  the 
methods  of  Spain.  The  season  of  the  year  most  unwholesome  to  the 
inhabitants  01  c  temperate  climate  had  already  set  in,  with  all  its 


88  BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN. 

train  of  pestilences,  when  the  British  arrived.  Though  deluged  by  the 
tremendous  rains  of  the  tropics  from  day  to  day,  the  water  supply  was 
wholly  insufficient,  and  the  little  obtainable  was  so  tainted  as  to  make 
its  use  fraught  with  danger.  There  was  no  pilot  who  knew  the  road- 
stead in  order  to  lead  the  ships  against  the  Morro  and  the  Puntal  for 
many  days.  In  throwing  up  the  parallels  and  approaches  to  the  walls 
of  the  city  on  the  landward  side,  the  soldiers  found  such  scarcity  of 
earth,  the  blanket  over  the  rocks  being  of  the  thinnest  sort,  that  this 
necessary  material  for  covering  an  attack  had  to  be  brought  from  a 
distance.  Then,  too,  it  was  charged  with  the  germs  of  disease,  and  all 
who  handled  it  suffered  extremely.  Despite  all  the  precautions  of  the 
officers,  the  sanitary  condition  surrounding  the  camp  was  horrible,  and 
the  troops  died  like  dogs. 

Yankees  in  Cuba. 

Meanwhile  there  was  a  large  force  of  British  regulars  in  North 
America,  stationed  there  ever  since  the  fall  of  the  French  empire  in 
the  new  world  in  1760.  Four  thousand  of  these  soldiers  were  gathered 
in  New  York  City.  To  them  the  colonies  of  East  and  West  Jersey 
added  a  regiment  of  500  men,  New  York  another  of  800,  while  Lyman 
raised  a  full  thousand  in  Connecticut.  When  these,  too,  had  been 
assembled  in  New  York,  Lyman  was  made  Brigadier  General  of  the 
colonial  troops,  and  his  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Israel  Putnam,  was  made 
Colonel  of  the  Connecticut  soldiers  in  his  stead.  This  was  the  same 
Putnam  who  fought  the  wolf  single-handed  in  its  cave,  and  who  was 
to  take  that  breakneck  ride  a  few  years  later  to'  escape  the  very  troops 
with  whom  he  was  now  associated.  The  entire  force  of  2,300  provin- 
cials under  General  Lyman's  command  was  not  a  mere  bevy  of  raw  mili- 
tia. Nearly  all  of  them  had  seen  service  against  the  French  in  those 
well  trained  and  active  forces  which  were  given  the  general  name  of 
"Rangers;"  the  officers  especially,  of  whom  Putnam  was  hardly  more 
than  a  type,  being  men  of  extended  experience.  The  fact  that  so  many 
men  were  willing  to  volunteer  in  this  arduous  and,  as  it  turned  out, 
desperate  service  for  the  King,  speaks  volumes  for  what  could  have 
been  done  with  such  men  had  Pitt  and  not  Bute  been  at  the  head  of  the 
English  nation  at  that  time.  The  advices  from  Havana  showed  that 
the  army  there  was  in  great  need  of  reinforcements,  so  b}7  great  efforts 
the  regulars  and  provincials  were  stowed  way  in  fourteen  transports, 
and  with  an  escort  of  a  few  frigates  they  set  sail  for  the  South  about 


CAPTAIN  SIGSBEE  OF  THE  ILL-FATED  "MAINE"— NOW  COMMANDER  OF  THE 

CRUISER  ST.  PAUL 


GENERAL  STEWART  L.  WOODFORD— LAST  U.  S.  MINISTER  TO  SPAIN 


BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN.  91 

the  middle  of  May.  There  were  the  usual  shouts  of  an  admiring  popu- 
lace and  the  tears  of  sweethearts  and  wives;  but  it  is  easy  to  say  that 
there  would  have  been  no  rejoicing  if  the  people  of  Connecticut,  the 
Jerseys,  and  New  York  could  have  foreseen  that  hardly  one  of  every 
fifty  of  their  volunteers  would  see  his  home  again. 

Americans  Were  Wrecked. 

Just  before  the  arrival  of  these  welcome  reinforcements  on  July  20, 
some  English  merchantmen  had  come  along  with  cargoes  of  cotton 
bags,  which  were  pressed  into  immediate  use  for  the  lines  which  were 
now  closing  around  Havana;  and  in  the  ships  were  also  found  several 
pilots.  Then  the  forces  from  the  North  came  amidst  general  rejoicings, 
but  without  Putnam  and  500  of  his  Yankees.  These,  in  a  transport 
which  was  skirting  the  dangerous  coast  much  too  closely,  were  ship- 
wrecked on  one  of  the  treacherous  shoals  thereabouts.  Putnam,  with 
true  New  England  fertility  of  resource,  extemporized  rafts  from  the 
fragments  of  the  vessel  and  got  all  his  men  ashore  without  the  loss  of 
a  life.  They  landed  near  the  City  of  Carthagena,  threw  up  breast- 
works, and  were  found  ready  to  repel  a  force  of  thousands  of  Span- 
iards when  the  ships  from  before  Havana  arrived  for  their  rescue, 
their  own  companions  wisely  pressing  on  and  sending  aid  back  from 
the  headquarters. 

The  American  troops  went  bravely  to  work,  engaging  themselves 
chiefly  with  the  undermining  of  one  of  the  walls.  To  reach  this  it  was 
necessary  for  them  to  pass  along  a  narrow  eminence  where  they  were 
in  plain  view  and  easy  range  of  the  Spaniards.  A  number  were  lost 
in  this  dangerous  enterprise,  but  their  valor  was  dimmed  neither  by 
this  nor  by  the  still  heavier  losses  which  came  upon  them  through  the 
diseases  prevalent  in  every  portion  of  the  British  camp.  Though  men 
of  such  hardiness  that  they  must  have  been  equal  in  resisting  power 
to  the  British,  their  losses  were  comparatively  much  greater,  proving 
that  they  occupied  positions  of  greater  danger,  either  from  bullets  or 
the  fevers  of  the  region. 

Morro  Castle  Taken. 

Five  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  reinforcements,  Lord  Albemarle 
judged  himself  sufficiently  strong  to  assault  Morro  Castle,  and  the 
word  was  accordingly  given.  The  sunken  ships  were  blown  up  early 
on  the  morning  of  July  25,  and  the  British  ships  sailed  into  the  fury 


92  BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN. 

of  the  Spanish  cannon,  belching  shot  from  all  along  the  shore.  The 
big  guns  of  the  ships  could  not  be  elevated  sufficiently  to  silence  the 
fire  from  Morro  Castle,  and  this  was  accordingly  left  to  be  carried  by 
assault.  The  Puntal  was  silenced,  troops  landed,  and  after  five  days 
of  ferocious  fighting,  in  which  the  British  and  American  losses  were 
enormous  by  reason  of  their  exposed  position,  and  where  every  one 
concerned  exhibited  the  utmost  valor,  Morro  Castle  was  carried  by  the 
bayonet.  The  fighting  within  its  walls  after  an  entry  had  been  made 
was  exceedingly  fierce.  The  Marquis  of  Gonzalez  was  killed  by  his 
own  cowardly  men  for  refusing  to  surrender.  The  cannon  from  the 
other  Spanish  batteries  were  turned  upon  the  Morro  as  soon  as  the 
Spanish  flag  had  been  lowered,  and  the  British  ensign  run  up  in  its 
place;  and  then  the  slow  and  disastrous  work  of  the  siege  was  taken 
up  again. 

As  the  lines  grew  nearer  and  nearer,  and  the  last  hope  of  the  Span- 
iard for  relief  was  given  up,  there  was  the  usual  attempt  made  to  buy 
the  attacking  party  off.  Though  it  would  have  been  a  hopeless  under- 
taking at  any  time,  the  amount  offered  for  the  ransom  of  the  city  was 
so  far  below  the  treasure  which  was  known  to  be  in  the  town  that  the 
offer  was  made  a  subject  for  derisive  laughter.  Fifteen  days  after 
Morro  Castle  had  fallen,  though  the  mortality  in  the  trenches  was  so 
great  that  a  few  weeks  more  must  have  seen  the  abandonment  of  the 
enterprise,  the  city  fell,  the  garrison  stipulating  for  a  passage  out  with 
all  the  honors  of  war,  which  was  freely  accorded  them,  owing  to  the 
climatic  predicament  in  which  Lord  Albemarle  found  himself.  It  was 
also  stipulated  that  private  property  should  be  respected.  This  was 
strictly  observed,  though  Spain  had  set  repeated  examples  of  giving  a 
captured  city  over  to  plunder  in  the  face  of  a  stipulation  to  the  con- 
trary. 

August  14,  1762,  the  British  entered,  the  glory  of  their  victory  over 
such  heavy  odds  even  then  dimmed  by  the  enormous  mortality.  It 
was  reckoned  that  the  few  days  of  August  had  wrought  more  damage 
to  the  invading  forces  than  all  the  weeks  of  hard  labor  and  open 
assault  which  had  gone  before.  In  the  city — the  Havannali,  as  it  was 
then  called — treasure  was  found  to  the  amount  of  $7,000,000,  much  of 
it  in  such  shape  that  there  had  been  abundant  time  to  withdraw  it 
either  to  Spain  or  into  the  interior  of  the  island,  had  there  been  any 
other  than  Spaniards  at  the  head  of  affairs. 

The  occupancy  of  the  British  and  colonial  forces  lasted  but  a  few 
months.  Lord  Albemarle,  with  $120,000  of  the  prize  money  as  his  per- 


BUCCANEERING  IN  THE  SPANISH  MAIN.  93 

sonal  share,  received  notice  of  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of  Paris  and 
withdrew  his  army  to  Great  Britain.  A  single  ship  sufficed  to  remove 
the  shattered  remnant  of  the  soldiers  from  Connecticut,  the  Jerseys, 
and  New  York.  Twenty-three  hundred  sailed;  barely  fifty  returned. 
It  was  a  part  of  the  good  fortune  of  America — all  of  the  good  fortune, 
to  be  exact — which  brought  Colonel  Israel  Putnam  safely  home  again, 
though  the  paralysis  which  shortened  his  labors  not  many  years  after 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  unquestionably  due  to  his  ex- 
posure to  the  vertical  sun  of  Cuba  and  to  the  poisons  of  its  pestilential 
coast. 

In  the  hands  of  George  III.,  then  King  of  England,  all  this  suffering 
and  deprivation  amounted  to  virtually  nothing.  He  was  a  coward  at 
heart,  a  man  who  could  not  even  avail  himself  of  such  hardly  gained 
victories.  The  peace  of  Paris  was  signed,  and  by  its  terms  George 
yielded  up  Cuba  and  the  Philippines  again  to  the  power  that  has 
never  ceased  to  misuse  the  advantages  so  obtained. 

The  belief  gained  ground  in  Havana,  in  1807,  that  the  English  gov- 
ernment again  contemplated  a  descent  on  the  island;  and  measures 
were  taken  to  put  it  in  a  more  respectable  state  of  defense,  although, 
from  want  of  funds  in  the  treasury-,  and  the  scarcity  of  indispensable 
supplies,  the  prospect  of  an  invasion  was  sufficiently  gloomy.  The 
militia  and  the  troops  of  the  garrison  were  carefully  drilled,  and  com- 
panies of  volunteers  were  formed  wherever  materials  for  them  could 
be  found.  The  French,  also,  not  content  with  mere  preparations,  made 
an  actual  descent  on  the  island,  first  threatening  Santiago,  and  after- 
wards landing  at  Batabano. 

The  invaders  consisted  chiefly  of  refugees  from  St.  Domingo;  and 
their  intention  seems  to  have  been  to  take  possession  with  a  view  to 
colonize  and  cultivate  a  portion  of  the  unappropriated,  or  at  least  un- 
occupied, territory  on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  as  their  countrymen 
had  formerly  done  in  St.  Domingo.  Without  recurring  to  actual  force, 
the  captain-general  prevailed  on  them  to  take  their  departure  by  offering 
transportation  either  to  St.  Domingo  or  to  France. 


CHAPTER  V. 
COMMERCIAL  DEVELOPMENT  OF  CUBA. 

Efforts  of  the  Early  Governors  to  Encourage  Trade — Cultivation  of  Sugar  One 
of  the  First  Industries — Decree  Defining  Powers  of  the  Captain  Gen- 
eral— 'Attempted  Annexation  to  the  United  States — The  Ostend  Mani- 
festo— Its  Wonderful  Predictions,  in  the  Light  of  Later  Events — Ex-, 
ports  and  Imports  Between  Cuba  and  Spain — The  Future  of  Commer- 
cial Cuba. 

The  commerce  of  Cuba  has  grown  in  spite  of  the  limitations  that 
have  been  placed  upon  it  and  not  because  of  any  encouragement  that  has 
been  given  to  it.  Columbus  called  Cuba  the  most  beautiful  land  that 
eyes  had  ever  seen.  Its  resources,  granted  by  a  generous  nature,  have 
enabled  it  to  recuperate  after  destructive  warfare  with  a  rapidity  sim- 
ply amazing  to  those  accustomed  only  to  the  climate  and  the  soil  of 
the  temperate  zone.  The  immense  industries  of  Cuba  have  been  ham- 
pered from  the  beginning  by  Spanish  oppression  and  the  fact  that 
they  have  flourished  under  such  unfavorable  conditions  is  a  striking 
evidence  of  what  may  be  expected  under  a  policy  of  encouragement 
and  freedom.  Sugar,  tobacco,  and  other  tropical  products  have  made 
fortunes  for  Cuba  every  year,  only  to  have  them  stolen  by  Spanish 
officeholders,  sent  there  to  plunder  all  they  could  get  their  hands  upon. 
With  peace  assured,  the  opportunities  for  the  extension  of  industries 
in  the  "Pearl  of  the  Antilles"  will  be  enormous. 

The  commercial  development  of  Cuba  has  come  through  centuries 
of  disturbance,  warfare,  and  oppression.  A  simple  catalogue  of  all  the 
evils  with  wrhich  the  Cubans  have  had  to  contend  would  fill  a  volume. 
All  that  can  be  done  here  is  to  indicate  briefly  some  of  the  more  notable 
events  in  the  history  of  the  island  after  the  British  conquests  and  the 
relinquishment  of  the  prize  to  the  Spanish  authorities  upon  the  return 
of  peace.  Near  the  end  of  the  last  century  there  came  a  period  which 
offered  more  encouragement  to  the  hope  of  permanent  prosperity  in 
Cuba  than  had  been  offered  before.  The  successive  governors  ap- 
pointed varied  in  character,  it  is  true,  but  several  of  them  were  liberal 
minded,  public  spirited  men  who  gave  to  the  colony  far  better  admin- 

84 


COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA.  95 

istration  that  it  bad  been  accustomed  to.  One  of  these  was  Luis  de 
Las  Casas,  who  imparted  a  new  impulse  to  the  agriculture  and  com- 
merce of  the  island.  It  was  under  his  guidance  that  trade  with  the 
United  States  began  to  assume  importance,  and  to  his  efforts  was  due 
the  transfer  of  the  remains  of  Columbus  from  Santo  Domingo  to  their 
present  resting  place  in  the  cathedral  at  Havana.  He  encouraged  lit- 
erature, science,  the  fine  arts  and  the  erection  of  various  public  charit- 
able and  educational  institutions.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  first  pub- 
lic library  and  the  first  newspaper  which  had  existed  in  the  island.  He 
showed  his  ability  as  an  executive  by  restraining  the  restless  popula- 
tion under  the  excitement  which  accompanied  the  revolution  in  the 
neighboring  colony  of  Santo  Domingo,  which  ended  by  the  loss  to 
Spain  of  that  island. 

One  of  the  earliest  causes  of  ill  feeling  between  the  islanders  of 
Cuba  and  the  people  of  Spain  occurred  just  at  the  end  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  Las  Casas  in  1796.  In  the  seventy  years  prior  to  that  time  a 
great:  navy  yard  grew  up  on  the  Bay  of  Havana,  and  114  war  vessels 
were  built  there  to  convoy  the  Spanish  treasure  ships.  All  at  once  this 
flourishing  industry  was  closed  on  the  demand  of  the  ship-builders  of 
Spain  that  the  work  should  be  done  in  the  mother  country.  As  might 
have  been  expected,  this  aroused  great  indignation  among  a  large 
number  of  people  in  Havana  who  had  been  dependent  upon  the  in- 
dustry. 

It  was  about  the  same  time,  or  just  a  hundred  years  before  the  out- 
break of  our  war  with  Spain,  that  sugar  became  an  important  article 
of  general  commerce.  Even  then,  however,  it  was  not  an  article  of 
common  consumption,  and  was  held  at  extravagantly  high  prices, 
measured  by  the  present  cheapness  of  the  article.  Market  reports  of 
the  time  show  that  the  price  approximated  forty  cents  a  pound,  and 
this  at  a  time  when  the  purchasing  power  of  money  was  at  least  twice 
as  great  as  it  is  now.  As  the  price  has  fallen,  the  product  and  the  con- 
sumption have  increased,  until  of  late  years  it  has  been  an  enormous 
source  of  revenue  to  the  Island  of  Cuba.  When  Napoleon  Bonaparte 
abducted  the  royal  family  of  Spain  and  deposed  the  Bourbon  dynasty 
in  1808,  every  member  of  the  provincial  counsel  of  Cuba  took  an  oath 
to  preserve  the  island  for  their  legitimate  sovereign.  The  Colonial 
government  immediately  declared  war  against  Napoleon  and  pro- 
claimed Ferdinand  VII.  as  king.  It  was  by  this  action  that  the  colony 
earned  its  title  of  "The  ever-faithful  isle,"  which  has  been  excellent  as 


96  COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA. 

a  complimentary  phrase,  but  hardly  justified  by  the  actual  facts.  For 
some  years  following  this  action,  affairs  in  the  island  were  in  an  em- 
barrassing condition,  owing  to  the  progress  of  the.  Napoleonic  wars  in 
Europe,  w^hich  kept  all  trade  disturbed  and  Spain  in  a  constant  condi- 
tion of  disorder.  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  fortunate  election  of  one 
or  two  of  the  governors  things  might  have  been  even  worse  than  they 
were,  and  it  was  considered  that  Cuba  was  enjoying  quite  as  much 
peace  and  prosperity  as  were  her  neighbor  colonies  and  the  mother 
governments  of  Europe.  In  1812  a  negro  conspiracy  broke  out  and  at- 
tained considerable  success,  and  as  a  result  of  it  the  Spanish  governors 
began  to  be  more  and  more  severe  in  their  administrations. 

Under  the  influence  of  the  spirit  of  freedom  which  was  spreading 
all  around  them,  Cubans  became  more  and  more  restless.  The  revolu- 
tionary movements  in  Spanish  America  had  begun  in  1810,  and  after 
fourteen  years  of  guerrilla  warfare,  European  power  had  vanished  in 
the  Western  hemisphere  from  the  Northern  boundary  of  the  United 
States  to  Cape  Horn,  except  for  the  Colonies  of  British  Honduras  and 
the  Guianas,  and  a  few  of  the  West  Indian  Islands.  In  1821,  Santo 
Domingo  became  independent,  and  in  the  same  year  Florida  came  into 
the  possession  of  the  United  States.  Secret  societies,  with  the  purpose 
of  revolution  as  their  motive,  began  to  spring  up  in  Cuba,  and  the  pop- 
ulation divided  into  well-defined  factions.  There  was  indeed  an  at- 
tempt at  opcxi  revolt  made  in  1823  by  one  of  these  societies  known  as 
the  "Soles  De  Bolivar,"  but  it  was  averted  before  the  actual  outbreak 
came,  and  those  leaders  of  it  who  were  not  able  to  escape  from  Cuba 
were  arrested  a.nd  punished.  It  was  as  a  result  of  these  successive 
events  that  the  office  of  Captain  General  was  created  and  invested 
with  all  the  powders  of  Oriental  despotism.  The  functions  of  the  Cap- 
tain General  were  defined  by  a  royal  decree  of  May  28,  1825,  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect: 

His  Majesty,  the  King  Our  Lord,  desiring  to  obviate  the  inconveniences 
that  might  in  extraordinary  cases  result  from  a  division  of  command,  and 
from  the  interferences  and  prerogatives  of  the  respective  officers:  for  the 
important  end  of  preserving  in  that  precious  island  his  legitimate  sovereign 
authority  and  the  public  tranquillity  through  proper  means,  has  resolved  in 
accordance  with  the  opinion  of  his  council  of  ministers  to  give  to  your  Excel- 
lency the  fullest  authority,  bestowing  upon  you  all  the  powers  which  by  the 
royal  ordinances  are  granted  to  the  governors  of  besieged  cities.  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  his  Majesty  gives  to  your  Excellency  the  most  ample  and 


COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA.  97 

unbounded  power,  not  only  to  send  away  from  the  island  any  persons  in 
office,  whatever  their  occupation,  rank,  class,  or  condition,  whose  continuance 
therein  your  Excellency  may  deem  injurious,  or  whose  conduct,  public  or 
private,  may  alarm  you,  replacing  them  with  persons  faithful  to  his  Majesty 
and  deserving  of  all  the  confidence  of  your  Excellency;  but  also  to  suspend 
the  execution  of  any  order  whatsoever,  or  any  general  provision  made  con- 
cerning any  branch  of  the  administration  as  your  Excellency  may  think  most 
suitable  to  the  Royal  Service. 

This  decree  since  that  time  has  been  substantially  the  supreme  law 
of  Cuba,  and  has  never  been  radically  modified  by  any  concessions 
except  those  given  as  a  last  and  lingering  effort  to  preserve  the  sov- 
ereignty of  Spain,  when  after  three  years'  progress  of  the  revolution 
she  realized  that  her  colony  had  slipped  away  from  her  authority. 
The  decree  quoted  in  itself  offers  sufficient  justification  for  the 
Cuban  revolution  in  the  name  of  liberty. 

Attempted  Annexation  to  the  United  States. 

During  the  present  century  there  have  been  a  number  of  attempts 
on  the  part  of  men  prominent  in  public  life,  both  in  the  United  States 
and  Cuba,  to  arrange  a  peaceable  annexation  by  the  purchase  by  this 
country  of  the  island  from  Spain.  Statesmen  of  both  nations  have 
been  of  the  opinion  that  such  a  settlement  of  the  difficulty  would  be 
mutually  advantageous,  and  have  used  every  diplomatic  endeavor  to 
that  end. 

During  Thomas  Jefferson's  term  of  office,  while  Spain  bowed  be- 
neath the  yoke  of  France,  from  which  there  was  then  no  prospect  of 
relief,  the  people  of  Cuba,  feeling  themselves  imcompetent  in  force 
to  maintain  their  independence,  sent  a  deputation  to  Washington, 
proposing  the  annexation  of  the  island  to  the  federal  system  of  North 
America. 

In  1854  President  Pearce  instructed  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  his  Secretary 
of  State,  to  arrange  a  conference  of  the  Ministers  of  the  United  States 
to  England,  France  and  Spain,  to  be  held  with  a  view  to  the  acquisi- 
tion of  Cuba. 

The  conference  met  at  Ostend  on  the  9th  of  October,  1854,  and 
adjourned  to  Aix-la-Chapelle,  where  notes  were  prepared.  Mr.  Soule, 
then  our  Minister  to  Spain,  said  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Marcy,  transmit- 


98  COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA. 

ting  the  joint  report:  "The  question  of  the  acquisition  of  Cuba  by  us 
is  gaining  ground  as  it  grows  to  be  more  seriously  agitated  and  con- 
sidered. Now  is  the  moment  for  us  to  be  done  with  it,  and  if  it  is  to 
bring  upon  us  the  calamity  of  war,  let  it  be  now,  while  the  great 
powers  of  this  continent  are  engaged  in  that  stupendous  struggle 
which  cannot  but  engage  all  their  strength  and  tax  all  their  energies 
as  long  as  it  lasts,  and  may,  before  it  ends,  convulse  them  all.  Neither 
England  nor  France  would  be  likely  to  interfere  with  us.  England 
could  not  bear  to  be  suddenly  shut  out  of  our  market,  and  see  her 
manufactures  paralyzed,  even  by  a  temporary  suspension  of  her  in- 
tercourse with  us.  And  France,  with  the  heavy  task  now  on  her 
hands,  and  when  she  so  eagerly  aspires  to  take  her  seat  as  the 
acknowledged  chief  of  the  European  family,  would  have  no  induce- 
ment to  assume  the  burden  of  another  war." 

The  result  of  this  conference  is  so  interesting  in  its  application  to 
present  conditions  that  its  reproduction  is  required  to  make  intel- 
ligible the  whole  story  of  Cuba,  and  we  give  it  here: 

The  Ostend  Manifesto. 

Sir:  The  undersigned,  in  compliance  with  the  wish  expressed  by  the 
president  in  the  several  confidential  despatches  you  have  addressed  to  us 
respectively,  to  that  effect,  we  have  met  in  conference,  first  at  Ostend,  in  Bel- 
gium, on  the  9th,  10th,  and  llth  instant,  and  then  at  Aix-la-Chapelle,  in  Prus- 
sia, on  the  days  next  following,  up  to  the  date  hereof. 

There  has  been  a  full  and  unreserved  interchange  of  views  and  senti- 
ments between  us,  which  we  are  most  happy  to  inform  you  has  resulted 
in  a  cordial  coincidence  of  opinion  on  the  grave  and  important  subjects  sub- 
mitted to  our  consideration. 

We  have  arrived  at  the  conclusion,  and  are  thoroughly  convinced  that 
an  immediate  and  earnest  effort  ought  to  be  made  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States  to  purchase  Cuba  from  Spain  at  any  price  for  which  it  can 
be  obtained,  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  $ 

The  proposal  should,  in  our  opinion,  be  made  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
be  presented  through  the  necessary  diplomatic  forms  to  the  Supreme  Con- 
stituent Cortes  about  to  assemble.  On  this  momentous  question,  in  which  the 
people,  both  of  Spain  and  the  United  States,  are  so  deeply  interested,  all 
our  proceedings  ought  to  be  open,  frank  and  public.  They  should  be  of 
such  a  character  as  to  challenge  the  approbation  of  the  world. 

We  firmly  believe  that,  in  the  progress  of  human  events,  the  time  has 
arrived  when  the  vital  interests  of  Spain  are  as  seriously  involved  in  the 


NELSON  A.  MILES— GENERAL  COMMANDING  THE  U.  S.  ARMY 


UNITED  STATES  SOLDIERS  MARCHING  TO  THE  FRONT 


GENERAL  FITZHUGH  LEE— EX.CONSUL.GENERAL  TO  HAVANA 


LEE'S  DEPARTURE  FROM  HAVANA  PRIOR  TO 
DECLARATION  OF  WAR 


COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA.  103 

sale,  as  those  of  the  United  States  in  the  purchase,  of  the  island,  and  that 
the  transaction  will  prove  equally  honorable  to  both  nations. 

Under  these  circumstances  we  cannot  anticipate  a  failure,  unless  possibly 
through  the  malign  influence  of  foreign  powers  who  possess  no  right  what- 
ever to  interfere  in  the  matter. 

We  proceed  to  state  some  of  the  reasons  which  have  brought  us  to  this, 
conclusion,  and  for  the  sake  of  clearness,  we  shall  specify  them  under  two 
distinct  heads: 

1.  The  United  States  ought,  if  practicable,  to  purchase  Cuba  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible. 

2.  The  probability  is  great  that  the  government  and  Cortes  of  Spain 
will   prove   willing  to   sell  it,  because  this  would  essentially  promote  the 
highest  and  best  interests  of  the  Spanish  people. 

Then,  1.  It  must  be  clear  to  every  reflecting  mind  that,  from  the  pe- 
culiarity of  its  geographical  position,  and  the  considerations  attendant  on  it, 
Cuba  is  as  necessary  to  the  North  American  republic  as  any  of  its  present 
members,  and  that  it  belongs  naturally  to  that  great  family  of  states  of 
which  the  Union  is  the  providential  nursery. 

From  its  locality  it  commands  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  and  the  im- 
fnense  and  annually  increasing  trade  which  must  seek  this  avenue  to  the 
ocean. 

On  the  numerous  navigable  streams,  measuring  an  aggregate  course  of 
some  thirty  thousand  miles,  which  disembogue  themselves  through  this 
magnificent  river  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  increase  of  the  population 
within  the  last  ten  years  amounts  to  more  than  that  of  the  entire  Union  at 
the  time  Louisiana  was  annexed  to  it. 

The  natural  and  main  outlet  to  the  products  of  this  entire  population, 
the  highway  of  their  direct  intercourse  with  the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific 
States,  can  never  be  secure,  but  must  ever  be  endangered  whilst  Cuba  is  a 
dependency  of  a  distant  power  in  whose  possession  it  has  proved  to  be  a 
source  of  constant  annoyance  and  embarrassment  to  their  interests. 

Indeed  the  Union  can  never  enjoy  repose,  nor  possess  reliable  security,  as 
long  as  Cuba  is  not  embraced  within  its  boundaries. 

Its  immediate  acquisition  by  our  government  is  of  paramount  impor- 
tance, and  we  cannot  doubt  but  that  it  is  a  consummation  devoutly  wished 
for  by  its  inhabitants. 

The  intercourse  which  its  proximity  to  our  coast  begets  and  encourages 
between  them  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  has,  in  the  progress  of 
time,  so  united  their  interests  and  blended  their  fortunes  that  they  now 
look  upon  each  other  as  if  they  were  one  people,  and  had  but  one  destiny. 

Considerations  exist  which  render  delay  in  the  acquisition  of  this  island 
exceedingly  dangerous  to  the  United  States. 

The  system  of  immigration  and  labor  lately  organized  within  its  limits, 


104  COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA. 

and  the  tyranny  and  oppression  which  characterize  its  immediate  rulers 
threaten  an  insurrection  at  every  moment,  which  may  result  in  direful  conse- 
quences to  the  American  people. 

Cuba  has  thus  become  to  us  an  unceasing  danger,  and  a  permanent 
cause  of  anxiety  and  alarm. 

But  we  need  not  enlarge  on  these  topics.  It  can  scarcely  be  apprehended 
that  foreign  powers,  in  violation  of  international  law,  would  interpose  their 
influence  with  Spain  to  prevent  our  acquisition  of  the  island.  Its  inhabitants 
are  now  suffering  under  the  worst  of  all  possible  governments,  that  of  abso- 
lute despotism,  delegated  by  a  distant  power  to  irresponsible  agents,  who 
are  changed  at  short  intervals,  and  who  are  tempted  to  improve  their  brief 
opportunity  thus  afforded  to  accumulate  fortunes  by  the  basest  means. 

As  long  as  this  system  shall  endure,  humanity  may  in  vain  demand  the 
suppression  of  the  African  slave  trade  in  the  island.  This  is  rendered  im- 
possible whilst  that  infamous  traffic  remains  an  irresistible  temptation  and 
a  source  of  immense  profit  to  needy  and  avaricious  officials,  who,  to  attain 
their  ends,  scruple  not  to  trample  the  most  sacred  principles  under  foot. 

The  Spanish  government  at  home  may  be  well  disposed,  but  experience 
has  proved  that  it  cannot  control  these  remote  depositaries  of  its  power. 

Besides,  the  commercial  nations  of  the  world  cannot  fail  to  perceive 
and  appreciate  the  great  advantages  which  wrould  result  to  their  people  from 
a  dissolution  of  the!  forced  and  unnatural  connection  between  Spain  and 
Cuba,  and  the  annexation  of  the  latter  to  the  United  States.  The  trade  of 
England  and  France  with  Cuba  would,  in  ,that  event,  assume  at  once  an 
important  and  profitable  character,  and  rapidly  extend  with  the  increasing 
population  and  prosperity  of  the  island. 

2.  But  if  the  United  States  and  every  commercial  nation  would  be 
benefited  by  this  transfer,  the  interests  of  Spain  would  also  be  greatly  and 
essentially  promoted. 

She  cannot  but  see  that  such  a  sum  of  money  as  we  are  willing  to  pay 
for  the  island  would  affect  it  in  the  development  of  her  vast  natural  resources. 

Two-thirds  of  this  sum,  if  employed  in  the  construction  of  a  system  of 
railroads,  would  ultimately  prove  a  source  of  greater  wealth  to  the  Spanish 
people  than  that  opened  to  their  vision  by  Cortez.  Their  prosperity  would 
date  from  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  cession. 

France  has  already  constructed  continuous  lines  of  railways  from  Havre, 
Marseilles,  Valenciennes,  and  Strasburg,  via  Paris,  to  the  Spanish  frontier, 
and  anxiously  awaits  the  day  when  Spain  shall  find  herself  in  a  condition 
to  extend  these  roads  through  her  northern  provinces  to  Madrid,  Seville, 
Cadiz,  Malaga,  and  the  frontiers  of  Portugal. 

This  object  once  accomplished,  Spain  would  become  a  center  of  attrac- 
tion for  the  traveling  world,  and  secure  a  permanent  and  profitable  market 
for  her  various  productions.  Her  fields,  under  the  stimulus  given  to  in- 


COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA.  105 

dustry  by  remunerating  prices,  would  teem  with  cereal  grain,  and  her  vine- 
yards would  bring  forth  a  vastly  increased  quantity  of  choice  wines.  Spain 
would  speedily  become  what  a  bountiful  Providence  intended  she  should  be, 
one  of  the  first  nations  of  continental  Europe — rich,  powerful  and  contented. 

Whilst  two-thirds  of  the  price  of  the  island  would  be  ample  for  the  com- 
pletion of  her  most  important  public  improvements,  she  might  with  the 
remaining  forty  millions  satisfy  the  demands  now  pressing  so  heavily  upon 
her  credit,  and  create  a  sinking  fund  which  would  gradually  relieve  her 
from  the  overwhelming  debt  now  paralyzing  her  energies. 

Such  is  her  present  wretched  financial  condition,  that  her  best  bonds  are 
sold  upon  her  own  bourse  at  about  one-third  of  their  par  value;  whilst  another 
class,  on  which  she  pays  no  interest,  have  but  a  nominal  value,  and  are 
quoted  at  about  one-sixth  of  the  amount  for  which  they  were  issued.  Be- 
sides, these  latter  are  held  principally  by  British  creditors,  who  may,  from 
day  to  day,  obtain  the  effective  interposition  of  their  own  government  for 
the  purpose  of  coercing  payment.  Intimations  to  that  effect  have  already 
been  thrown  out  from  high  quarters,  and  unless  some  new  sources  of  revenue 
shall  enable  Spain  to  provide  for  such  exigencies,  it  is  not  improbable  that 
they  may  be  realized. 

Should  Spain  reject  the  present  golden  opportunity  for  developing  her 
resources  and  removing  her  financial  embarrassments,  it  may  never  again 
return. 

Cuba,  in  her  palmiest  days,  never  yielded  her  exchequer,  after  deducting 
the  expense  of  its  government,  a  clear  annual  income  of  more  than  a  million 
and  a  half  of  dollars.  These  expenses  have  increased  to  such  a  degree  as  to 
leave  a  deficit,  chargeable  on  the  treasury  of  Spain,  to  the  amount  of  six 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 

In  a  pecuniary  point  of  view,  therefore,  the  island  is  an  encumbrance 
instead  of  a  source  of  profit  to  the  mother  country. 

Under  no  probable  circumstance  can  Cuba  ever  yield  to  Spain  one 
per  cent,  on  the  large  amount  which  the  United  States  are  willing  to  pay 
for  its  acquisition.  But  Spain  is  in  imminent  danger  of  losing  Cuba  without 
remuneration. 

Extreme  oppression,  it  is  now  universally  admitted,  justifies  any  people 
in  endeavoring  to  relieve  themselves  from  the  yoke  of  their  oppressors. 
The  sufferings  which  corrupt,  arbitrary  and  unrelenting  local  administration 
necessarily  entail  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Cuba  cannot  fail  to  stimulate  and, 
keep  alive  that  spirit  of  resistance  and  revolution  against  Spain  which  has 
of  late  years  been  so  often  manifested.  In  this  condition  of  affairs  it  is  vain 
to  expect  that  the  sympathies  of  tne  people  of  the  United  States  will  not 
be  warmly  enlisted  in  favor  of  their  oppressed  neighbors. 

We  know  that  the  President  is  justly  inflexible  in  his  determination  to 


106  COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA. 

execute  tlie  neutrality  laws;  but  should  the  Cubans  themselves  rise  in  revolt 
against  the  oppression  which  they  suffer,  no  human  power  could  prevent  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  and  liberal-minded  men  of  other  countries  from 
rushing  to  their  assistance.  Besides,  the  present  is  an  age  of  adventure  in 
which  restless  and  daring  spirits  abound  in  every  portion  of  the  world. 

It  is  not  improbable,  therefore,  that  Cuba  may  be  wrested  from  Spain 
by  a  successful  revolution;  and  in  that  event  she  will  lose  both  the  island 

and  the  price  which  we  are  now  willing  to  pay  for  it a  price  far  bevond 

what  was  ever  paid  by  one  people  to  another  for  any  province. 

It  may  also  be  remarked  that  the  settlement  of  this  vexed  question, 
by  the  cession  of  Cuba  to  the  United  States,  would  forever  prevent  the 
dangerous  complications  between  nations  to  which  it  may  otherwise  give 
birth. 

It  is  certain  that,  should  the  Cubans  themselves  organize  an  insurrection 
against  the  Spanish  government,  and  should  other  independent  nations  come 
to  the  aid  of  Spain  in  the  contest,  no  human  power  could,  in  our  opinion, 
prevent  the  people  and  government  of  the  United  States  from  taking  part  in 
such  a  civil  war  in  support  of  their  neighbors  and  friends. 

But  if  Spain,  dead  to  the  voice  of  her  own  interest,  and  actuated  by  a 
stubborn  pride  and  a  false  sense  of  honor,  should  refuse  to  sell  Cuba  to  the 
United  States,  then  the  question  will  arise,  What  ought  to  be  the  course  of 
the  American  government  under  such  circumstances? 

Self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature  with  States  as  well  as  with 
individuals.  All  nations  have,  at  different  periods,  acted  upon  this  maxim. 
Although  it  has  been  made  the  pretext  for  committing  flagrant  injustice,  as  in 
the  partition  of  Poland  and  other  similar  cases  which  history  records,  yet  the 
principle  itself,  though  often  abused,  has  always  been  recognized. 

The  United  States  has  never  acquired  a  foot  of  territory  except  by  fair- 
purchase,  or,  as  in  the  case  of  Texas,  upon  the  free  and  voluntary  application 
of  the  people  of  that  independent  State,  who  desired  to  blend  their  destinies 
with  our  own. 

Even  our  acquisitions  from  Mexico  are  no  exception  to  this  rule  because, 
although  we  might  have  claimed  them  by  right  of  conquest,  in  a  just  way, 
yet  we  purchased  them  for  what  wras  then  considered  by  both  parties  a  full 
and  ample  equivalent. 

Our  past  history  forbids  that  we  should  acquire  the  island  of  Cuba 
without  the  consent  of  Spain,  unless  justified  by  the  great  law  of  self-preser- 
vation. We  must,  in  any  event,  preserve  our  own  conscious  rectitude  and 
our  own  self-respect. 

Whilst  pursuing  this  course  we  can  afford  to  disregard  the  censures  of 
the  world,  to  which  we  have  been  so  often  and  so  unjustly  exposed. 

After  we  have  offered  Spain  a  fair  price  for  Cuba,  far  beyond  its  present 


COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OF    CUBA.  107 

value,  and  this  shall  have  been  refused,  it  will  then  be  time  to  consider  the 
question,  does  Cuba,  in  the  possession  of  Spain,  seriously  endanger  our  in- 
ternal peace  and  the  existence  of  our  cherished  Union? 

Should  this  question  be  answered  in  the  affirmative,  then,  by  every  law, 
human  and  divine,  we  shall  be  justified  in  wresting  it  from  Spain,  if  we 
possess  the  power;  and  this  upon  the  very  same  principle  that  would  justify 
an  individual  in  tearing  down  the  burning  house  of  his  neighbor  if  there 
were  no  other  means  of  preventing  the  flames  from  destroying  his  own  home. 

Under  such  circumstances  we  ought  neither  to  count  the  cost,  nor  regard 
the  odds  which  Spain  might  enlist  against  us.  We  forbear  to  enter  into 
the  question,  whether  the  present  condition  of  the  island  would  justify  such 
a  measure.  We  should,  however,  be  recreant  to  our  duty,"  be  unworthy  of 
our  gallant  forefathers,  and  commit  base  treason  against  our  posterity, 
should  we  permit  Cuba  to  be  Africanized  and  become  a  second  San  Domingo, 
with  all  its  attendant  horrors  to  the  white  race,  and  suffer  the  flames  to 
extend  to  our  own  neighboring  shores,  seriously  to  endanger,  or  actually  to 
consume,  the  fair  fabric  of  our  Union. 

We  fear  that  the  course  and  current  of  events  are  rapidly  tending  toward 
such  a  catastrophe.  We,  however,  hope  for  the  best,  though  we  ought 
certainly  to  be  prepared  for  the  worst. 

We  also  forbear  to  investigate  the  present  condition  of  the  questions  at 
issue  between  the  United  States  and  Spain.  A  long  series  of  injuries  to  our 
people  have  been  committed  in  Cuba  by  Spanish  officials,  and  are  unre- 
dressed.  But  recently  a  most  flagrant  outrage  on  the  rights  of  American 
citizens,  and  on  the  flag  of  the  United  States,  was  perpetrated  in  the  harbor 
of  Havana  under  circumstances  which,  without  immediate  redress,  would 
have  justified  a  resort  to  measures  of  war  in  vindication  of  national  honor. 
That  outrage  is  not  only  unatoned,  but  the  Spanish  government  has  deliber- 
ately sanctioned  the  acts  of  its  subordinates,  and  assumed  the  responsibility 
attaching  to  them. 

Nothing  could  more  impressively  teach  us  the  danger  to  which  those 
peaceful  relations  it  has  ever  been  the  policy  of  the  United  States  to  cherish 
with  foreign  nations,  are  constantly  exposed,  than  the  circumstances  of  that 
case.  Situated  as  Spain  and  the  United  States  are,  the  latter  has  forborne 
to  resort  to  extreme  measures. 

But  this  course  cannot,  with  due  regard  to  their  own  dignity  as  an  inde- 
pendent nation,  continue;  and  our  recommendations,  now  submitted,  are 
dictated  by  the  firm  belief  that  the  cession  of  Cuba  to  the  United  States, 
writh  stipulations  as  beneficial  to  Spain  as  those  suggested,  is  the  only  effective 
mode  of  settling  all  past  differences,  and  cf  securing  the  two  countries  against 
future  collisions. 


108  COMMERCIAL    DEVELOPMENT    OP    CUBA. 

We  have  already  witnessed  the  happy  results  for  both  countries  which 
followed  a  similar  arrangement  in  regard  to  Florida. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

JAMES    BUCHANAN. 
J.  Y.  MASON. 
PIERRE  SOULE. 
HON.  WM.  L.  MARCY,  Secretary  of  State. 

Unfortunately  for  Cuba  the  suggestions  offered  by  this  commis- 
sion were  not  acted  upon,  although  it  is  not  probable  that  Spain,  ever 
blind  to  her  own  interests,  would  have  admitted  the  justice  or  reason 
of  the  argument,  had  the  offer  to  purchase  been  made  to  her. 

Exports  and  Imports. 

A  table  showing  the  amount  of  trade  between  Cuba  and  Spain 
d'uring  the  year  1894  (the  last  authentic  report),  is  instructive: 

Importations  in  Cuba  from  Spain f  7,492,622 

Exportation  from  Cuba  to  Spain  23,412,376 


Difference  in  favor  of  export $15,919,754 

The  Future  of  Commercial  Cuba. 

Under  happier  conditions,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Cuba  will 
iBpeedily  attain  a  much  higher  state  of  commercial  importance  and 
prosperity  than  it  has  yet  enjoyed.  Great  as  its  productiveness  has 
been  in  the  past,  well-informed  writers  assert  that  proper  development 
of  its  resources  will  increase  the  value  five-fold,  and  a  liberal  system 
of  government  will  enable  it  to  take  advantage  of  its  admirable  posi- 
tion to  gain  greater  prominence  in  the  commercial  world. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
BEAUTIES  OF  A  TROPICAL  ISLAND. 

A  Delightful  Climate — Grand  Scenic  Surprises — The  Caves  of  Bellamar— 
The  Valley  of  the  Yumuri — Under  Nature's  Dome — Gorgeous  Sunsets 
— The  Palm  Tree  Groves — The  Home  of  Fruits  and  Flowers — The 
Zodiacal  Light. 

When  the  little  island  of  Cuba,  "The  Pearl  of  the  Antilles,"  was 
assigned  a  place  upon  the  terrestrial  globe,  Nature  must  have  been 
in  her  most  generous  mood.  Certainly  no  land  beneath  the  skies  was 
given  a  more  perfect  combination  of  mountains  and  rivers,  forests  and 
plains.  Situated  within  and  near  the  border  of  the  northern  tropical 
zone,  the  temperature  of  the  low  coast  lands  is  that  of  the  torrid  zone, 
but  the  high  interior  of  the  island  enjoys  a  delightful  climate,  and  the 
verdure-clad  hills,  with  the  graceful  palm  and  cocoa  tree  clear  against 
the  pure  blue  sky,  may  be  seen  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

As  in  other  countries  on  the  borders  of  the  tropics,  the  year  is 
divided  between  a  hot  and  wet  season,  corresponding  to  the  northern 
declination  of  the  sun,  and  a  cool  and  dry  period.  The  months  from 
the  beginning  of  May  to  October  are  called  the  wet  season,  though 
some  rain  falls  in  every  month  of  the  year. 

With  May,  spring  begins  in  the  island,  rain  and  thunder  are  of 
almost  daily  occurrence,  and  the  temperature  rises  high,  with  little 
daily  variation.  The  period  from  November  to  April  is  called  the  dry 
season  by  contrast. 

On  a  mean  of  seven  years  the  rain-fall  at  Havana  in  the  wet  season 
has  been  observed  to  be  27.8  inches,  of  the  dry  months,  12.7,  or  40.5 
inches  for  the  year. 

July  and  August  are  the  warmest  months,  and  during  this  period 
the  average  temperature  at  Havana  is  82  Fahr.,  fluctuating  between  a 
maximum  of  88  and  a  minimum  of  76.  In  the  cooler  months  of  De- 
cember and  January  the  thermometer  averages  72,  the  maximum 
being  78,  and  minimum  58.  The  average  temperature  of  the  year  at 
Havana  on  a  mean  of  seven  years  is  77.  , 

But  in  the  interior,  at  elevations  of  over  300  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  sea,  the  thermometer  occasionally  falls  to  the  freezing  point  in 

109 


110  BEAUTIES  OF  A  TROPICAL  ISLAND. 

winter.     Frost  is  not  uncommon,  and  during  north  winds,  thin  ice 
may  form,  though  snow  is  unknown  in  any  part  of  the  island. 

The  prevailing  wind  is  the  easterly  trade  breeze,  but  from  Novem- 
ber to  February,  cool  north  winds,  rarely  lasting  more  than  forty- 
eight  hours,  are  experienced  in  the  western  part  of  the  island,  to 
which  they  add  a  third  seasonal  change.  Hurricanes  may  occur  from 
August  to  October,  but  they  are  rare  and  sometimes  five  or  six  years 
pass  without  such  a  storm. 

Grand  Scenic  Surprises. 

Many  "globe-trotters"  who  have  never  included  this  little  corner 
of  the  world  in  their  itinerary,  do  not  appreciate  the  fact  that  nowhere 
under  the  sun  can  be  found  a  more  perfect  climate,  grander  mountain 
scenery,  more  charming  valleys,  more  picturesque  ruins,  and  fertile 
fields  than  Cuba  offers  to  their  view. 

In  another  portion  of  this  work  will  be  found  descriptions  of  the 
cities  of  Cuba,  and  brief  mention  here  of  some  of  the  beauties  of  the 
country  may  not  be  amiss. 

One  of  the  grandest  bits  of  scenery  in  the  known  world  is  to  be 
found  in  the  valley  of  the  Yumuri,  rivaling  in  sublimity  the  far-famed 
Lookout  Mountain  view  and  the  Yosemite  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 
The  journey  leads  over  a  winding  trail,  easily  traversed  by  the  native 
horses,  up  a  steep  hill,  until,  after  a  continuous  climb  of  an  hour  and 
a  half,  the  road  turns  around  the  edge  of  a  grassy  precipice,  and  the 
beautiful  valley,  with  its  patches  of  green  and  gold,  spreads  away  in 
the  distance.  The  little  river  of  Yumuri  winds  its  way  through  its 
flower -decked  banks  until  it  reaches  the  bay  beyond,  while  in  the  dis- 
tance rise  the  mighty  mountains,  clad  in  their  coats  of  evergreen,  and 
over  all  the  fleecy  clouds,  and  the  sky  of  azure  blue. 

In  this  vicinity  an  opportunity  is  given  the  sight-seer  to  visit  a 
sugar  house  and  gain  an  idea,  of  the  sugar-making  process,  though  on 
a  very  small  scale,  and  enjoy  a  half  an  hour  in  the  study  of  the  natives, 

and  their  home  life. 

i 

A  traveler,  in  writing  of  this  place,  says: 

"Our  interview  with  the  little  black  'nines'  was  highly  amusing. 
On  entering  the  court  yard  of  the  negfo  quarters,  a  dozen  little  black 
imps,  of  all  ages  and  sexes  and  sizes,  perfectly  naked,  rushed  towards 
us,  and  crossing  their  arms  upon  their  breasts,  fell  upon  their  knees 
before  us,  and  jabbered  and  muttered,  out  of  which  could  be  distin- 


GENERAL  MAXIMO  GOMEZ— LEADER  OF  THE  INSURGENTS  OF  CUBA 
A  HERO  WITH  A  HISTORY 


GENERAL  MACEO— A  LEADER  OF  THE  INSURGENT  ARMY  OF  CUBA 


BEAUTIES  OF  A  TROPICAL  ISLAND.  113 

guished,  'Master,  master,  give  us  thy  blessing,'  which  we  interpreted 
to  mean  'tin;'  whereupon  we  scattered  sundry  'medios'  among  them! 
Hey!  presto!  what  a  change!  The  little  black  devils  fell  over  one 
another,  fought,  tugged,  and  scrambled  to  secure  a  prize,  while  any- 
one who  had  been  lucky  enough  to  obtain  a  coin,  marched  off  in  a 
state  of  dignified  delight,  his  distended  little  stomach  going  before 
him  like  a  small  beer  barrel,  while  the  owner  of  it  kept  shouting  out, 
'Medio,  yo  tengo  medio'  (five  cents,  I  have  five  cents)." 

The  Caves  of  Bellamar. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  trips  that  can  be  made  is  to  the  "Oaves 
of  Bellamar,"  which  may  be  found  about  two  and  a  half  miles  south- 
east of  the  city  of  Matanzas. 

The  journey  takes  the  traveler  up  a  winding  and  rugged  road  to 
the  top  of  a  hill,  where  the  "Gave  house"  is  reached,  a  large  frame 
structure  built  over  the  entrance,  and  containing,  among  other  objects 
of  interest,  a  large  collection  of  beautiful  crystal  formations  found  in 
the  cave. 

Here  the  tourist  enters  his  name  in  the  visitors'  register,  pays  his 
dollar,  and  follows  the  boy  guide  down  the  stairs  into  the  cave.  About 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the  entrance  a  small  bridge  is  crossed, 
and  the  "Gothic  Temple"  is  reached.  The  only  light  comes  from  a  few 
scattered  lanterns,  and  is  consequently  very  obscure,  but  one  can  see 
the  millions  of  crystals,  the  thousand  weird  forms,  and  realize  that  it 
is  surpassingly  beautiful.  The  temple  is  about  two  hundred  feet  in 
length  and  seventy  feet  in  width,  and  while  it  does  not  equal  in  size 
or  solemn  grandeur  the  temple  of  the  same  name  in  the  Mammoth 
cave  of  Kentucky,  it  greatly  excels  it  in  the  richness  and  splendor  of 
its  crystal  formations  and  beautiful  effects. 

The  spectator  possessed  of  strongly  developed  imaginative  powers 
cannot  fail  to  feel  himself  in  fairy  land.     From  the  gloomy    corners' 
come  gnomes  and  demons,  and  in  the  crystal  shadows  he  sees  sprites 
and  lovely  fairies,  keeping  gay  revel  to  dreamy  airs,  played  on  invisi: 
ble  strings  by  spirit  hands. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  objects  in  the  cave  is  the  "Fountain  of 
Snow,"  a  name  given  to  one  of  the  great  pillars,  called  by  the  natives 
the  "Cloak  of  the  Virgin."  Others  are  known  as  "Columbus  Mantle," 
"The  Altar,"  and  "The  Guardian  Spirit." 

"Who  has  not  seen  the  Caves  of  Bellamar  has  not  seen  Cuba," 

6 


114  BEAUTIES  OF  A  TROPICAL  ISLAND. 


Under  Nature's  Dome. 

One  of  the  most  vivid  pieces  of  descriptive  writing,  referring  to  the 
beauties  of  Cuban  skies,  is  from  the  pen  of  James  M.  Phillippo: 

"The  splendor  of  the  early  dawn  in  Cuba,  as  in  the  tropical  islands 
in  its  vicinity,  has  been  referred  to.  The  whole  sky  is  often  so  re- 
splendent that  it  is  difficult  to  determine  where  the  orb  of  day  will 
appear.  Small  fleecy  clouds  are  often  seen  floating  on  the  north  wind, 
and  as  they  hover  over  the  mountains  and  meet  the  rays  of  the  sun, 
are  changed  into  liquid  gold  and  a  hundred  intensely  beautiful  dyes 
more  splendid  than  the  tints  of  the  rainbow.  During  the  cooler 
months,  the  mornings  are  delightful  till  about  ten  o'clock,  the  air  soon 
after  dawn  becoming  agreeably  elastic,  and  so  transparent  that  dis- 
tant objects  appear  as  if  delineated  upon  the  bright  surface  of  the  air; 
the  scenery  everywhere,  especially  when  viewed  from  an  eminence,  is 
indescribably  rich  and  glowing;  the  tops  of  the  rising  grounds  and 
the  summits  of  the  mountains  are  radiant  with  a  flood  of  light,  while 
the  vapor  is  seen  creeping  along  the  valleys,  here  concealing  the 
entrance  to  some  beautiful  glen,  and  there  wreathing  itself  fantastic- 
ally around  a  tall  spire  or  groves  of  palm  trees  that  mark  the  site  of 
a  populous  village. 

"The  finest  and  most  gorgeous  sunsets  occur  in  the  West  Indian 
Archipelago  during  the  rainy  seasons.  The  sky  is  then  sublimely 
mantled  with  gigantic  masses  of  cloud,  glowing  with  a  thousand  gor- 
geous dyes,  and  seeming  to  collect  at  the  close  of  day  as  though  to 
form  a  couch  for  the  sun's  repose.  In  these  he  sinks,  flooding  them 
with  glory,  touching  both  heavens  and  earth  with  gold  and  amber 
brightness  long  after  he  has  flung  his  beams  across  the  other  hemi- 
sphere, or  perhaps  half  revealing  himself  through  gauze-like  clouds,  a 
crimson  sphere,  at  once  rayless  and  of  portentous  size. 

"The  azure  arch,  which  by  an  optical  illusion  limits  our  view  on 
every  side,  seems  here,  and  in  the  tropics  generally,  higher  than  in 
England,  even  tiigher  than  in  Italy.  Here  is  seen,  in  a  perfection  com- 
pared to  which  even  Italian  skies  are  vapid  and  uninteresting,  that 
pure,  serene,  boundless  sky,  that  atmosphere  of  clear  blue,  or  vivid 
red,  which  so  much  contributes  to  enrich  the  pencil  of  Claude  Lor- 
raine. The  atmosphere  of  Cuba,  as  everywhere  within  the  tropics, 
except  when  the  high  winds  prevail,  is  so  unpolluted,  so  thin,  so  elas- 
tic, so  dry,  so  serene,  and  so  almost  inconceivably  transparent  and 


BEAUTIES  OF  A  TROPICAL  ISLAND.  115 

brilliant,  that  every  object  is  distinct  and  clearly  defined  as  if  cut  out 
of  the  clear  blue  sky.  All  travelers  agree  in  praising  the  calm  depths 
of  the  intensely  blue  and  gloriously  bright  skies  of  inter-tropical  lati- 
tudes. In  the  temperate  zone,  it  is  estimated  that  about  1,000  stars 
are  visible  to  the  naked  eye  at  one  time;  but  here,  from  the  increased 
elevation  and  wider  extent  of  the  vault,  owing  to  the  clearness  of  the 
atmosphere,  especially  as  seen  from  a  high  mountain  chain,  the  num- 
ber is  greatly  augmented.  If,  however,  these  luminaries  may  not  be 
seen  here  in  greater  numbers,  they  certainly  shine  with  greater  bril- 
liancy. The  different  constellations  are  indeed  so  greatly  magnified  as 
to  give  the  impression  that  the  power  of  the  eye  is  increased.  Venus 
rises  like  a  little  moon,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  greater  casts  a  dis- 
tinguishable shadow. 

"The  Milky  Way,  which  in  the  temperate  zone  has  the  appearance 
of  a  luminous  phosphorescent  cloud,  and,  as  is  well  known,  derives  its 
brightness  from  the  diffused  light  of  myriads  of  stars  condensed  into 
so  small  space  that  fifty  thousand  of  them  are  estimated  to  pass  across 
the  disc  of  the  telescope  in  an  hour,  is  here  seen  divided  into  constella- 
tions, and  the  whole  galaxy  is  of  so  dazzling  a  whiteness  as  to  make 
it  resemble  a  pure  flame  of  silvery  light  thrown  across  the  heavens, 
turning  the  atmosphere  into  a  kind  of  green  transparency.  Besides 
this,  there  are  vast  masses  of  stellar  nebula  of  indefinite  diversity  and 
form,  oval,  oblate,  elliptical,  as  well  as  of  different  degrees  of  density, 
diffused  over  the  firmament,  and  discoverable  through  a  common  tele- 
scope, all  novel  to  an  inhabitant  of  temperate  climes,  and  recalling  the 
exclamation  of  the  psalmist:  'The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God. 
.  .  .  the  firmament  showeth  forth  His  handiwork.' 

"  The  stars 

Are    elder  scripture,  writ  of  God's  own  hand, 
Scripture  authentic,  uncorrupt  by  man.' 

"An  interesting  phenomenon  sometimes  occurs  here,  as  in  other 
islands  of  the  West  Indies,  which  was  long  supposed  to  be  seen 
only  in  the  eastern  hemisphere.  A  short  time  before  sunrise  or  sunset, 
a  flush  of  strong,  white  light,  like  that  of  the  Aurora  Borealis,  extends 
from  the  horizon  a  considerable  way  up  the  zenith,  and  so  resembles 
the  dawn  as  to  prove  greatly  deceptive  to  a  stranger.  As  he  watches 
the  luminous  track  he  sees  it  decrease  instead  of  becoming  more  vivid, 
and  at  length  totally  disappear,  leaving  the  heavens  nearly  as  dark  as 
previous  to  its  appearance.  This  is  the  zodiacal  light." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

WEALTH  FEOM  NATURE'S  STORES  IN  THE  FORESTS  AND  FIELDS 

OF  CUBA. 

The  Palm  Tree,  the  Queen  of  the  Cuban  Forests — Sugar  Cane  and  Its  Culti- 
vation— The  Tobacco  Industry — Tropical  Fruits  and  Flowers — Beauties 
of  a  Garden  in  Cuba — Enormous  Shipments  to  Spain — The  Wealth  of 
the  Island. 

The  forests  of  Cuba  are  of  vast  extent,  and  so  dense  as  to  be  almost 
impenetrable.  It  is  estimated  that  of  about  20,000,000  acres  of  land 
still  remaining  perfectly  wild  and  uncultivated',  nearly  13,000,000  are 
uncleared  forest.  Mahogany  and  other  hard  woods,  such  as  the  Cuban 
ebony,  cedar,  and  granadilla,  valuable  for  manufactures,  cabinet  work 
and  ship  building  are  indigenous,  and  are  exported  to  a  considerable 
extent. 

The  palm  is  the  queen  of  the  Cuban  forests  and  is  its  most  valuable 
tree.  It  grows  in  every  part  of  the  island,  but  especially  in  the  west, 
giving  at  once  character  and  beauty  to  the  scenery.  The  royal  palm 
is  the  most  common  variety,  and.  frequently  grows  to  a  height  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  feet,  the  branches  numbering  from  twenty  to 
twenty-five,  in  the  center  of  which,  are  the  hearts  or  buds  of  the  plant, 
elevating  themselves  perpendicularly  with  needle-like  points. 

This  heart,  enveloped  in  wrappers  of  tender  white  leaves,  makes  a 
most  delicious  salad,  and  it  is  also  boiled  like  cauliflower,  and  served 
with  a  delicate  white  sauce.  The  trunk  of  the  palm  is  composed  of 
fibrous  matter,  which  is  stripped  off  and  dried,  forming  a  narrow,  thin 
board,  which  the  natives  use  for  the  walls  of  their  cottages.  The 
boughs  are  sometimes  made  to  serve  for  roofing,  though  palm  leaves 
are  usually  used  for  this  purpose,  as  well  as  for  the  linings  of  the 
walls.  "El  yarey"  is  another  variety  of  the  palm  tree  that  is  of  great 
utility.  From  it  the  native  women  make  the  palm  leaf  bats  that  are 
wrorn  by  almost  all  the  villagers  and  country  people  of  Cuba* 

116 


.WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES.  11 7 

Tropical  Fruits  in  Abundance. 

The  fruits  of  Cuba  are  those  common  to  the  tropics.  Bananas,  pine- 
apples, oranges,  lemons  and  bread-fruit  all  grow  in  abundance,  deli- 
cious to  the  taste  and  delightful  to  the  eye. 

Eichard  Henry  Dana,  Jr.,  after  returning  from  a  vacation  trip  to 
Cuba,  wrote  a  charming  description  of  a  fruit  garden  that  it  was  his 
good  fortune  to  visit  there: 

"The  garden  contained  a  remarkable  variety  of  trees,  including 
some  thrifty  exotics.  Here  the  mango,  with  its  peach-like  foliage,  was 
bending  on  the  ground  with  the  weight  of  its  ripening  fruit;  the  alli- 
gator pear  was  marvelously  beautiful  in  its  full  blossom,  suggesting, 
in  form  and  color,  the  passion  flower;  the  soft,  delicate  foliage  of  the 
tamarind  was  like  our  sensitive  plant;  the  banana  trees  were  in  full 
bearing,  the  deep  green  fruit  (it  is  ripened  and  turns  yellow  off  the 
tree),  being  in  clusters  of  a  hundred,  more  or  less,  tipped  at  the  same 
time  by  a  single,  pendent,  glutinous  bud,  nearly  as  large  as  a  pine- 
apple. The  date  palm,  so  suggestive  of  the  far  east,  and  the  only  one 
we  had  seen  in  Cuba,,  was  represented  by  a  choice  specimen,  imported 
in  its  youth.  There  was  also  the  star-apple  tree,  remarkable  for  its 
uniform  and  graceful  shape,  full  of  green  fruit,  with  here  and  there 
a  ripening  specimen;  so,  also,  was  the  favorite  zapota,  its  rusty  coated 
fruit  hanging  in  tempting  abundance.  From  low,  broad  spreading 
trees  depended  the  grape  fruit,  as  large  as  an  infant's  head  and  yellow 
as  gold,  while  the  orange,  lime  and  lemon  trees,  bearing  blossoms, 
green  and  ripe  fruit  all  together,  met  the  eye  at  every  turn,  and  filled 
the  garden  with  fragrance.  The  cocoanut  palm,  with  its  tall,  straight 
stem,  and  clustering  fruit,  dominated  all  the  rest.  Guava,  fig,  custard 
apple,  and  bread-fruit  trees,  all  were  in  bearing. 

"Our  hospitable  host  plucked  freely  of  the  choicest  for  the  benefit 
of  his  chance  visitors.  Was  there  ever  such  a  fruit  garden  before,  or 
elsewhere?  It  told  of  fertility  of  soil  and  deliciousness  of  climate,  of 
care,  judgment,  and  liberal  expenditure,  all  of  which  combined  had 
turned  these  half  a  dozen  acres  of  land  into  a  Gan  Eden.  Through  his 
orchard  of  Hesperides,  we  were  accompanied  also  by  the  proprietor's 
two  lovely  children,  under  nine  years  of  age,  with  such  wealth  of 
promise  in  their  large  black  eyes  and  sweet  faces  as  to  fix  them  on  our 
memory  with  photographic  fidelity.  Before  leaving  the  garden  we 
returned  with  our  intelligent  host  once  more  to  examine  his  beautiful 


118  ^WEALTH  PROM  NATURE'S  STORES. 

specimens  of  bananas,  which,  with  its  sister  fruit,  the  plantain,  forms 
so  important  a  staple  of  fruit  in  Cuba  and  throughout  all  tropical 
regions.  It  seems  that  the  female  banana  tree  bears  more  fruit  than 
the  male,  but  not  so  large.  The  average  clusters  of  the  former  com- 
prise here  about  one  hundred,  but  the  latter  rarely  bears  over  sixty  or 
seventy  distinct  specimens  of  the  cucumber-shaped  product.  From 
the  center  of  its  large,  broad  leaves,  which  gather  at  the  top,  when  it 
has  reached  the  height  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet,  there  springs  forth  a 
large  purple  bud  ten  inches  long,  shaped  like  a  huge  acorn,  though 
more  pointed.  This  cone  hangs  suspended  from  a  strong  stem,  upon 
which  a  leaf  unfolds,  displaying  a  cluster  of  young  fruit.  As  soon  as 
these  are  large  enough  to  support  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  the  chill  of 
the  rain,  this  sheltering  leaf  drops  off,  and  another  unfolds,  exposing 
its  little  brood  of  fruit;  and  so  the  process  goes  on,  until  six  or  eight 
rings  of  young  bananas  are  started,  forming,  as  we  have  said,  bunches 
numbering  from  seventy  to  a  hundred.  The  banana  is  a  herbaceous 
plant,  and  after  fruiting,  its  top  dies;  but  it  annually  sprouts  up  again 
fresh  from  the  roots.  From  the  unripe  fruit,  dried  in  the  sun,  a  palat- 
able and  nutritious  flour  is  made." 

The  Tobacco  Industry. 

Cuban  tobacco  is  famous  throughout  the  world,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  profitable  of  all  its  products.  Prior  to  1791  the  crop  wras  sent  to 
the  national  factories  in  Spain,  by  the  "Commercial  Company  of 
Havana,"  under  government  contract,  but  during  that  year  the  "Fac- 
toria  de  Tobacco"  was  established  in  Havana  by  the  government.  The 
tobacco  was  classified  as  superior,  medium  and  inferior,  and  was  re- 
ceived from  the  growers  at  fixed  prices.  In  1804  these  were  six,  five 
and  two  and  a  half  dollars  per  arrobe  (a  Spanish  unit  of  weight,  sub- 
ject to  local  variations,  but  averaging  about  twenty-seven  pounds 
avoirdupois). 

By  comparing  the  different  prices  with  the  quantity  of  each  class 
of  tobacco  produced,  we  find  that  the  "Factoria"  paid  an  average  price 
of  $16  per  hundred  pounds  for  the  leaf  tobacco.  With  the  expense  of 
manufacture,  the  cigars  cost  the  government  seventy-five  cents  per 
pound;  snuff,  fine  grain  and  good  color,  forty-three  cents,  and  com- 
mon soft,  or  Seville,  nineteen  cents  a  pound  in  Havana.  In  good  years, 
when  the  crop  amounted  to  350,000  arrobes  of  leaf,  128,000  arrobes 
were  manufactured  for  Spain,  80,000  for  Havana,  9,200  for  Peru,  6,000 


WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES.  119 

for  Buenos  Ayres,  2,240  for  Mexico,  and  1,100  for  Caracas  and  Cam- 
peachy. 

In  order  to  make  up  the  amount  of  315,000  arrobes,  (for  the  crop 
loses  ten  per  cent,  of  its  weight,  in  loss  and  damage  in  the  transporta- 
tion and  manufacture)  we  must  suppose  that  80,000  arrobes  were  cen- 
sumed  in  the  interior  of  the  island;  that  is,  in  the  country,  where  the 
royal  monopoly  did  not  extend.  The  maintenance  of  120  slaves  and 
the  expenses  of  manufacture  did  not  exceed  $12,000  yearly;  but  the 
salaries  of  the  officers;  of  the  "Factoria"  amounted  to  $541,000.  The 
value  of  the  128,000  arrobes  of  tobacco  sent  to  Spain,  in  the  abundant 
years,  either  in  cigars,  leaf  or  snuff,  at  the  customary  prices  there, 
exceeded  the  sum  of  five  million  dollars. 

It  is  surprising  to  see  in  the  returns  of  the  exports  from  Havana 
(documents  published  by  the  Consulado),  that  the  exports  for  1816 
were  only  3,400  arrobes;  for  the  year  1823,  only  13,900  arrobes  of  leaf 
tobacco;  and  in  1825  only  70,302  pounds  of  cigars  and  167,100  pounds 
of  leaf  tobacco  and  strips;  but  we  must  remember  that  no  branch  of 
the  contraband  trade  is  more  active  than  that  in  cigars.  The  tobacco 
of  the  Vuelta  de  Abajo  is  the  most  celebrated,  but  large  quantities  are 
exported  which  are  produced  in  other  parts  of  the  island.  The  cultiva- 
tion of  tobacco  has  been  one  of  the  most  uncertain  branches  of  indus- 
try in  Cuba.  Trammeled  by  restrictions  and  exactions,  it  was  con- 
fined almost  entirely  to  the  poorer  classes  of  the  population,  who  were 
enabled  to  raise  a  scanty  and  uncertain  crop  through  the  advances  of 
capital  made  them  by  the  "Factoria."  Since  the  suppression  of  this 
monopoly,  it  has  had  to  contend  with  the  more  popular  and  profitable 
pursuit  of  sugar  planting,  which  has  successfully  competed  with  it  for 
the  employment  of  the  capital,  skill  and  labor  of  the  island. 

Sugar  Cane  and  Its  Cultivation. 

Maturin  Ballou,  in  his  "Cuba  Past  and  Present,"  published  in  1885, 
when  the  sugar  industry  was  in  its  best  days,  writes  an  interesting 
account  of  cane  cultivation: 

"Sugar  cane  is  cultivated  like  Indian  corn,  which  it  also  resembles 
in  appearance.  It  is  first  planted  in  rows,  not  in  hills,  and  must  be 
hoed  and  weeded  until  it  gets  high  enough  to  shade  its  roots.  Then 
it  may  be  left  to  itself  until  it  reaches  maturity.  This  refers  to  the 
first  laying  out  of  a  plantation,  which  will  afterwards  continue  fruit- 
ful for  years,  by  very  simple  processes  of  renewal.  When  thoroughly 


120  WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES. 

ripe  the  cane  is  of  a  light  golden  yellow,  streaked  here  and  there  with 
red.  The  top  is  dark  green,  with  long,  narrow  leaves  depending,  very 
much  like  those  of  the  corn  stalk,  from  the  center  of  which  shoots 
upward  a  silvery  stem,  a  couple  of  feet  in  height,  and  from  its  tip 
grows  a  white  fringed  plume  of  a  delicate  lilac  hue.  The  effect  of  a 
large  field  at  its  maturity,  lying  under  a  torrid  sun,  and  gently  yield- 
ing to  the  breeze,  is  very  fine,  a  picture  to  live  in  the  memory  ever 
after. 

"In  the  competition  between  the  products  of  beet-root  sugar  and 
that  from  sugar  cane,  the  former  controls  the  market,  because  it  can 
be  produced  at  a  cheaper  rate,  besides  which  its  production  is  stimu- 
lated by  nearly  all  of  the  European  states,  through  the  means  of  lib- 
eral subsidies  both  to  the  farmer  and  to  the  manufacturer.  Beet 
sugar,  however,  does  not  possess  so  high  a  percentage  of  true  sac- 
charine matter  as  the  product  of  the  cane,  the  latter  seeming  to  be 
nature's  most  direct  mode  of  supplying  us  with  the  article.  The 
Cuban  planters  have  one  advantage  over  all  other  sugar-cane  produc- 
ing countries,  in  the  great  and  inexhaustible  fertility  of  the  soil  of 
the  island.  For  instance,  one  or  two  hogsheads  of  sugar  to  the  acre 
is  considered  a  good  yield  in  Jamaica,  but  in  Cuba  three  hogsheads 
are  the  average.  Fertilizing  of  any  sort  is  rarely  employed  in  the  cane 
fields,  while  in  beet  farming  it  is  the  principal  agent  of  success. 
Though  the  modern  machinery,  as  lately  adopted  on  the  plantations, 
is  very  expensive,  still  the  result  achieved  by  it  is  so  much  superior  to 
that  of  the  old  methods  of  manufacture,  that  the  small  planters  are 
being  driven  from  the  market.  Slave  labor  cannot  compete  with 
machinery.  The  low  price  of  sugar  renders  economy  imperative  in  all 
branches  of  the  business,  in  order  to  leave  a  margin  for  profit. 

"A  planter  informed  the  author  that  he  should  spread1  all  of  his 
molasses  upon  the  cane  fields  this  year  as  a  fertilizer,  rather  than  send 
it  to  a  distant  market  and  receive  only  what  it  cost.  He  further  said 
that  thousands  of  acres  of  sugar  cane  would  be  allowed  to  rot  in  the 
fields  this  season,  as  it  would  cost  more  to  cut,  grind,  pack  and  send 
it  to  market  than  could  be  realized  for  the  manufactured  article.  Had 
the  price  of  sugar  remained  this  year  at  a  figure  which  would  afford 
the  planters  a  fair  profit,  it  might  have  been  the  means  of  tiding  over 
the  chasm  of  bankruptcy  which  has  long  stared  them  in  the  face,  and 
upon  the  brink  of  which  they  now  stand.  But  with  a  more  than 
average  crop,  both  as  to  quantity  and  quality,  whether  to  gather  it  or 
not  is  a  problem.  Under  these  circumstances  it  is  difficult  to  say  what 


WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES.  121 

is  to  become,  financially,  of  the  people  of  Cuba,  Sugar  is  their  great 
staple,  but  all  business  has  been  equally  suppressed  upon  the  island, 
under  the  bane  of  civil  laws,  extortionate  taxation,  and  oppressive 
rule. 

"The  sugar  cane  yields  but  one  crop  a  year.  There  are  several 
varieties,  but  the  Otaheitan  seems  to  be  the  most  generally  cultivated. 
Between  the  time  when  enough  of  the  cane  is  ripe  to  warrant  the  get- 
ting up  of  steam  at  the  grinding  mill,  and  the  time  when  the  heat  and 
the  rain  spoils  its  qualities,  all  the  sugar  for  the  season  must  be  made, 
hence  the  necessity  for  great  industry  on  large  estates.  In  Louisiana 
the  grinding  lasts  but  about  eight  weeks.  In  Cuba  it  continues  four 
months.  In  analyzing  the  sugar  produced  on  the  island,  and  compar- 
ing it  with  that  of  the  main  land,  the  growth  of  Louisiana,  chemists 
could  find  no  difference  as  to  the  quality  of  the  true  saccharine  prin- 
ciple contained  in  each. 

"The  great  sugar  estates  lie  in  the  Vueltra  Arriba,  the  region  of 
the  famous  red  earth.  The  face  of  this  region  smiles  with  prosperity. 
In  every  direction  the  traveler  rides  astonished  through  a  garden  of 
plenty,  equally  impressed  by  the  magnificent  extent,  and  the  profuse 
fertility  of  the  estates,  whose  palm  avenues,  plantain  orchards,  and 
cane  fields  succeed  each  other  in  almost  unbroken  succession.  So  pro- 
ductive are  the  estates,  and  so  steady  is  the  demand  for  the  planter's 
crop,  that  the  great  sugar  planters  are,  in  truth,  princes  of  agriculture. 

"The  imposing  scale  of  operations  on  a  great  plantation,  imparts  a 
character  of  barbaric  regal  state  to  the  life  one  leads  there.  Look- 
ing at  them  simply  as  an  entertainment,  the  mills  of  these  great  sugar 
estates  are  not  incongruous  with  the  easy  delight  of  the  place.  Every- 
thing is  open  and  airy,  and  the  processes  of  the  beautiful  steam  ma- 
chinery go  on  without  the  odors  as  without  the  noises  that  make  most 
manufactories  odious.  In  the  centrifugal  process  of  sugar  making,  the 
molasses  passes  into  a  large  vat,  by  the  side  of  which  is  a  row  of 
double  cylinders,  the  outer  one  of  solid  metal,  the  inner  of  wire  gauze. 
These  cylinders  revolve  each  on  an  axis  attached  by  a  horizontal 
wheel  and  band  to  a  shaft  which  communicates  with  the  central 
engine.  The  molasses  is  ladled  out  into  the  spaces  between  the  exter- 
nal and  internal  cylinders,  and  the  axes  are  set  in  motion  at  the  rate 
of  nineteen  hundred  revolutions  a  minute.  For  three  minutes  you  see 
only  a  white  indistinct  whirling,  then  the  motion  is  arrested,  slowly 
and  more  slowly  the  cylinders  revolve,  then  stop,  and  behold!  the 
whole  inner  surface  of  the  inner  cylinder  is  covered  with  beautiful 


122  WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES. 

crystallizations  of  a  light  yellow  sugar.  Watching  this  ingenious 
process,  I  used  to  fancy  that  somewhat  in  this  wise  might  the  nebulae 
of  space  be  slowly  fashioning  into  worlds." 

How  Cuba  Has  Been  Robbed  by  Spain. 

Some  knowledge  of  the  enormous  wealth  that  has  accrued  to  Spain 
from  her  Cuban  possessions  may  be  gained  from  the  following  quota- 
tion from  "Cuba  and  the  Cubans,"  published  in  New  York  in  1850  by 
Raimundo  Cabrera: 

"Oh,  we  are  truly  rich! 

"From  1812  to  1826,  Cuba,  with  her  own  resources,  covered  the 
expenditures  of  the  treasury.  Our  opulence  dates  from  that  period. 
We  had  already  sufficient  negro  slaves  to  cut  down  our  virgin  forests, 
and  ample  authority  to  force  them  to  work 

"By  means  of  our  vices  and  our  luxury,  and  in  spite  of  the  hatred 
of  everything  Spanish,  which  Moreno  attributed  to  us,  we  sent,  in 
1827,  the  first  little  million  of  hard  cash  to  the  treasury  of  the  nation. 
From  that  time  until  1864  we  continued  to  send  yearly  to  the  mother 
country  two  millions  and  a  half  of  the  same  stuff.  According  to  sev- 
eral Spanish  statisticians,  these  sumsi  amounted,  in  1864,  to  $89,107,- 
287.  We  were  very  rich,  don't  you  see?  tremendously  rich.  We  con- 
tributed more  than  five  million  dollars  towards  the  requirements  of 
the  Peninsular — $5,372,205.  We  paid,  in  great  part,  the  cost  of  the 
war  in  Africa.  The  individual  donations  alone  amounting  to  fabulous 
sums. 

"But  of  course  we  have  never  voted  for  our  own  imposts;  they 
have  been  forced  upon  us  because  we  are  so  rich.  In  1862,  we  had  in 
a  state  of  production  the  following  estates:  2,712  stock  farms,  1,521 
sugar  plantations,  782  coffee  plantations,  6,175  cattle  ranches,  18 
cocoa  plantations,  35  cotton  plantations,  22,748  produce  farms,  11,737 
truck  farms,  11,541  tobacco  plantations,  1,731  apiaries,  153  country 
resorts,  243  distilleries,  468  tile  works,  504  lime  kilns,  63  charcoal  fur- 
naces, 54  cassava-bread  factories,  and  61  tanneries.  To-day  I  do  not 
know  what  we  possess,  because  there  are  no  statistics,  and  because 
the  recently  organized  assessment  is  a  hodge  podge  and  a  new  bur- 
den; but  we  have  more  than  at  that  time;  surely  we  must  have  a 
great  deal  more. 

"For  a  very  long  time  we  have  borne  the  expenses  of  the  convict 
settlement  of  Fernando  Po.  We  paid  for  the  ill-starred  Mexican  expe- 


WEALTH  FROM  NATURE'S  STORES.  123 

dition,  the  costs  of  the  war  in  San  Domingo,  and  with  the  republics  of 
the  Pacific.  How  can  we  possibly  be  poor?  While  England,  France 
and  Holland  appropriate  large  sums  for  the  requirements  of  their  col- 
onies, Spain  does  not  contribute  a  single  cent  for  hers.  We  do  not 
need  it,  we  are  wading  deep  in  rivers  of  gold.  If  the  fertility  of  our 
soil  did  not  come  to  our  rescue,  we  must,  perforce,  have  become 
enriched  by  the  system  of  protection  to  the  commerce  of  the  mother 

country The  four  columns  of  the  tariff   are   indeed   a 

sublime  invention..  Our  agricultural  industries  require  foreign  ma- 
chinery, tools  and  utensils,  which  Spain  does  not  supply,  but,  as  she 
knows  that  we  have  gold  to  spare,  she  may  make  us  pay  for  them  very 
high.  And  since  our  sugar  is  to  be  sold  to  the  United  States  .  . 
never  mind  what  they  cost.  When  there  are  earthquakes  in  Andalusia 
and  inundations  in  Murcia,  hatred  does  not  prevent  us  from  sending 
to  our  afflicted  brethren  large  sumsi  .  .  .  (which  sometimes  fail 
to  reach  their  destination.) 

"We  are  opulent?  Let  us  see  if  we  are.  From  the  earliest  times 
down  to  the  present,  the  officials  who  come  to  Cuba,  amass,  in  the 
briefest  space  of  time,  fortunes,  to  be  dissipated  in  Madrid,  and  which 
appear  never  to  disturb  their  consciences.  This  country  is  very  rich, 
incalculably  rich.  In  1830  we  contributed  $6,120,934;  in  1840,  $9,605,- 
877;  in  1850,  $10,074,677;  in  1860,  $29,610,779.  During  the  war  we 
did  not  merely  contribute,  we  bled.  We  had  to  carry  the  budget  of 
$82,000,000. 

"We  count  1,500,000  inhabitants,  that  is  to  say,  one  million  and  a 
half  of  vicious,  voluptuous,  pompous  spendthrifts,  full  of  hatred  and 
low  passions,  who  contribute  to  the  public  charges,  and  never  receive 
a  cent  in  exchange,  who  have  given  as  much  as  $92  per  capita,  and 
who  at  the  present  moment  pay  to  the  state  what  no  other  taxpayers 
the  world  over  have  ever  contributed.  Does  anyone  say  that  we  are 
not  prodigiously,  enviably  rich?" 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
THE  CUBANS,  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE. 

Life  in  the  Rural  Districts — A  Cuban  Bill  of  Fare — The  Amusements  of  the 
Country  People — Sports  of  the  Carnival — Native  Dances — An  Island 
Farm — Fruit  Used  for  Bread — Cattle  Ranches  and  Stock  Farms — Pop- 
ulation of  the  Island — Education  and  Religion — Railways  and  Steam 
ship  Lines. 

The  traveler  from  the  north,  landing  for  the  first  time  on  Cuban 
shores,  will  discover  his  greatest  delight  in  the  radical  changes  he 
finds  from  everything  he  has  been  accustomed  to  in  his  own  land.  If 
he  has  read  Prescott  and  Irving,  he  knows  something  of  Castilian 
manners  and  customs  in  theory,  but  as  the  peculiarities  of  the  people, 
their  home  life,  their  amusements,  their  religious  observances,  and 
their  business  methods  are  -brought  before  him  in  reality,  he  is  im- 
pressed with  the  constant  charm  of  novelty. 

In  times  of  peace,  the  native  of  Cuban  soil  in  the  rural  districts 
knows  nothing  of  the  struggle  for  existence  which  faces  the  majority 
of  mankind  in  colder  climes.  He  "toils  not,  neither  does  he  spin,"  for 
the  reason  that  nature  provides  so  freely  that  very  little  exertion  is 
necessary  to  secure  her  gifts.  .Occasionally  he  may  plow,  or  sow  a 
little  grain,  or  even  pick  fruit,  but,  as  a  rule,  he  leaves  the  labor  to 
the  negroes.  If  he  lives  on  a  main-traveled  road,  he  may  possibly  pro- 
vide entertainment  for  man  and  beast,  where  he  delights  in  gossiping 
with  all  who  come  his  way,  and  is  ready  to  drink  whenever  invited. 

Neither  does  his  raiment  possess  the  glory  of  Solomon's,  for  it 
generally  consists  of  a  pair  of  loose  trousers,  belted  with  a  leather 
band,  a  linen  shirt  of  brilliant  hue,  frequently  worn  outside  his  panta- 
loons, a  silk  handkerchief  fastened  about  his  head,  a  palm-leaf  hat, 
and  bare  feet  encased  in  leather  slippers. 

He  is  astute,  though  frank,  boastful,  though  brave,  and  supersti- 
tious, if  not  religious.  Gambling  is  his  chief  delight,  and  his  fighting 
cocks  receive  more  attention  than  his  wife  and  family. 

His  better  half  is  more  reserved  than  her  lord,  especially  with 
strangers.  She  is  an  adept  horse-woman,  though  she  sometimes 

124 


THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE.  125 

shares  the  animal's  back  with  her  husband,  riding  in  front  of  him, 
almost  on  the  neck  of  the  horse.  Her  dress  is  the  acme  of  simplicity 
(sometimes  rather  too  simple  to  suit  conventional  ideas),  and  consists 
of  a  loose  frock,  and  a  handkerchief  tied  around  her  neck.  Like  her 
husband  she  dispenses  with  stockings,  except  on  occasions  of  cere- 
mony. Her  pride  is  her  hair,  on  which  she  bestows  a  great  deal  of 
attention,  and  she  delights  in  displaying  it  at  every  possible  oppor- 
tunity. 

A  Cuban  Bill  of  Fare. 

The  mode  of  life  among  the  people  of  these  rural  districts  is  entirely 
unlike  that  of  the  residents  of  the  cities.  This  difference  extends  even 
to  their  food  and  the  manner  of  preparing  it.  In  the  populous  centers, 
especially  among  the  better  classes,  the  table  service  is  of  the  French 
mode,  but  among  the  country  people  will  be  found  the  real  Cuban 
cuisine. 

The  morning  meal  usually  consists  of  fried  pork,  of  which  they  are 
very  fond,  boiled  rice,  and  roasted  plantain,  which  serves  them  for 
bread.  Beef,  birds  or  roast  pork  are  served  for  dinner,  together  with 
plantains  and  a  stew  composed  of  fresh  meat,  dried  meat,  green  plan- 
tains, and  all  kinds  of  vegetables.  These  are  cooked  in  a  broth,  thick- 
ened with  a  farinaceous  root  called  malanga,  and  flavored  with  lemon 
juice.  Rice  is  a  staple  article  of  diet,  and  no  meal  is  complete  with- 
out it 

Rural  Amusements. 

It  is  not  in  gastronomy  alone  that  the  Cubans  of  the  country  dis- 
tricts differ  from  their  city  cousins.  They  have  their  special  amuse- 
ments, some  of  which  seem  cruel  to  people  of  refinement,  but  it  may  be 
.said  in  their  defense  that  football  is  not  a  popular  game  on  the  island. 

Cock  fighting  is  the  national  sport,  and  men,  women  and  children 
will  wager  their  last  possession  on  the  result  of  an  encounter  between 
chickens  of  fighting  blood.  The  goose  fight  is  another  cruel  sport. 
Two  poles  are  placed  in  the  ground,  with  a  rope  stretched  between 
them,  on  which  a  live  goose  is  hung  with  its  feet  securely  tied,  and 
its  head  thoroughly  greased.  The  contestants  are  on  horseback,  and 
ride  at  full  speed  past  the  goose,  endeavoring  to  seize  its  head  and  sep- 
arate it  from  the  body  as  they  pass.  The  fowl  usually  dies  before  the 


126  THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE. 

efforts  are  successful,  but  the  rider  who  finally  succeeds  in  the  noble 
endeavor  gains  the  glory  and  the  prize. 

There  is  a  patron  saint  for  every  village,  for  whom  there  is  a  feast 
day,  which  is  celebrated  by  masses  at  the  church,  and  afterwards  by 
games  and  dances.  A  procession  is  always  arranged  on  this  day,  in 
which  a  little  girl,  dressed  as  an  image,  rides  in  a  wagon,  decorated 
with  banners  and  flowers.  Men  in  costumes  of  Indians  lead  the  way, 
followed  by  others  clad  as  Moors.  A  band  is  a  necessary  adjunct,  and 
bringing  up  the  rear  are  the  inhabitants,  marching  and  singing  to  the 
music  of  the  band.  When  the  church  is  reached,  the  people  gather 
about  the  child,  and  she  recites  a  composition  written  for  the  occa- 
sion. 

During  carnival  time,  processions  of  mountebanks,  cavaliers, 
dressed  as  knights  of  old,  on  horses  splendidly  adorned,  races, 
masques,  balls  and  all  manner  of  revelries  are  indulged  in. 

Dancing  is  a  universal  accomplishment,  in  which  the  young  and 
old  find  enjoyment  in  all  places  and  at  all  seasons.  The  Zapato,  a 
dance  peculiar  to  Cuba,  is  performed  to  the  music  of  the  guitar,  accom- 
panied by  the  voices  of  the  dancers.  It  consists  of  fantastic  posings, 
fancy  marches,  and  graceful  figures,  and  resembles  in  some  details 
the  "cake  walks"  of  the  negroes  of  our  own  country. 

An  Island  Farm, 

In  the  neighborhood  of  the  larger  cities  are  hundreds  of  "Estan- 
cias,"  which  correspond  to  what  are  known  as  market  gardens  in  the 
United  States.  These  farms  usually  consist  of  less  than  a  hundred 
acres  each,  and  on  them  are  raised  vegetables,  chickens,  small  fruits 
and  other  table  delicacies,  for  the  city  trade.  Properly  looked  after, 
this  business  might  be  one  of  great  profit,  but  the  land  is,  as  a.  rule, 
cultivated  by  tenants,  who  pay  a  rental  of  about  five  dollars  per  acre 
a  year,  and  who  are  too  indolent  to  give  it  the  care  necessary  to  gain 
lucrative  returns. 

The  principal  vegetable  raised  on  these  farms  is  the  sweet  potato, 
of  which  there  are  two  varieties,  the  yellow  and  the  white.  The  soil 
and  the  climate  are  not  favorable  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Irish  po- 
tato, and  it  is  necessary  to  import  this  luxury,  which  accounts  for  the 
fact  that  they  are  seldom  seen  outside  the  cities. 

Plantains  are  raised  in  large  quantities.     This  product  is  to  the 


THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE.  127 

Cuban  what  bread  is  to  us,  and  may  be  characterized  as  the  standard 
article  of  food.  Though  less  nutritious  than  wheat  or  potatoes,  it  is 
produced  in  vastly  larger  quantities  from  the  same  area,  and  with  far 
less  effort.  It  closely  resembles  the  banana,  and  is  in  fact  often  re- 
garded as  a  variety  of  that  fruit.  A  fanciful  name  for  it  among  the 
natives  is  "Adam's  apple,"  and  the  story  is  that  it  was  the  forbidden 
fruit  of  the.  Garden  of  Eden. 

On  a  number  of  these  places  the  business  of  farming  has  been 
entirely  abandoned,  and  kilns  built,  where  the  burning  of  lime  is  car- 
ried on  extensively. 

Cattle  Ranches  and  Stock  Farms. 

The  raising  of  cattle  is  one  of  the  important  industries  of  Cuba, 
and  as  it  costs  comparatively  nothing  to  fit  the  stock  for  the  market, 
handsome  profits  are  realized.  Herds  of  vast  numbers  roam  over  the 
prairies,  receiving  no  attention  from  their  owners,  and  are  sold  with- 
out any  preliminary  fattening.  Fabulous  prices  are  received  for  the 
fierce  bulls  which  are  used  for  the  bull  fights  in  the  cities,  and  the 
breeding  of  these  animals  brings  large  returns. 

Hides  are  one  of  the  principal  exports  of  the  island,  and  bone 
black,  prepared  from  the  bones,  is  sold  in  immense  quantities  to  the 
sugar-makers,  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of  that  article. 

The  finest  horses  raised  in  Cuba  come  from  Puerto  Principe,  and 
magnificent  specimens  of  the  noble  animal  they  are.  They  are  noted 
for  their  powers  of  endurance,  and  can  journey  day  after  day,  cover- 
ing sixty  to  seventy  miles,  at  an  easy  gait,  without  showing  signs  of 
fatigue.  As  horses  were  unknown  to  the  original  inhabitants  of  the 
island,  it  is  supposed  that  the  Cuban  horse  of  to-day  comes  from  Span- 
ish stock,  and  the  fa,ct  that  it  differs  so  greatly  from  those  animals, 
both  in  appearance  and  quality,  is  explained  by  the  changed  climatic 
conditions  in  its  breeding.  Whatever  its  origin  may  be,  it  is  certain 
that  there  are  no  finer  specimens  of  horse  flesh  than  are  to  be  found 
in  Cuba,  and  the  natives  take  great  care  of  them,  almost  regarding 
them  as  belonging  to  the  family.  Like  the  Irishman  who  "kept  his  pig 
in  the  parlor,"  the  Cuban  often  stables  his  horse  in  a  room  of  his 
house. 


128  THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE. 

Peculiar  Funeral  Ceremonies. 

One  of  the  strangest  customs  that  is  likely  to  be  observed  by  the 
tourist  in  the  interior  sections,  is  the  ceremony  attendant  on  the  burial 
of  the  dead.  First  come  small  boys,  with  white  linen  gowns  over  thei* 
clothes,  short  enough  to  display  their  ragged  trousers  and  dirty  shoes. 
A  boy  in  the  center  bears  a  tall  pole,  upon  the  top  of  which  is  a  silver 
cross,  partially  draped,  while  each  of  the  other  boys  carries  a  tall  can- 
dlestick. 

Behind  them  comes  the  priest,  in  shabby  attire,  in  one  hand  his 
prayer  book,  from  which  he  is  chanting  from  time  to  time,  while  in 
the  other  hand,  the  sun  being  hot,  he  carries  an  umbrella.  Following 
him,  a  venerable  old  man  comes  tottering  along,  personating  the  aco- 
lyth,  the  bell-ringer,  the  sacristan,  or  other  church  dignitary,  as  may 
be  necessary,  croning  out  in  his  dreary  voice,  as  he  swings  the  burning 
censor,  the  second  to  the  chants  of  the  priest.  The  coffin  then  makes 
its  appearance,  made  of  rough  boards,  but  covered  with  black  paper 
muslin,  and  borne  upon  the  shoulders  of  four  villagers,  a  crowd  of 
whom,  all  uncovered,  bring  up  the  rear. 

Here,  as  in  all  other  Catholic  countries,  the  spectators  uncover  their 
heads  at  the  passing  of  a  funeral  cortege.  At  the  church  are  ceremo- 
nies of  reading  prayers,  burning  candles,  and  sprinkling  the  coffin 
with  holy  water,  after  which  the  priest  goes  his  way,  and  the  proces- 
sion takes  up  its  line  of  march  for  the  newly-made  grave,  in  the  dilapi- 
dated and  neglected  cemetery,  where  the  coffin  is  deposited  without 
further  ceremony.  No  females  are  present  during  the  whole  affair. 

A  family  in  mourning  in  Cuba,  not  only  dress  in  dark  clothes,  upon 
which  there  is  no  luster,  but  they  keep  the  windows  of  the  house  shut 
for  six  months.  In  fact,  by  an  ordinance  of  the  government,  it  is  now 
prohibited  to  display  the  corpse  to  the  public  through  the  open  win- 
dows, as  was  formerly  done,  both  windows  and  doors  being  now 
required  to  be  shut. 

An  Hospitable  People. 

The  Cuban  of  the  better  class  is  noted  for  his  hospitality.  His  door 
is  always  open  to  receive  whomsoever  calls,  be  he  acquaintance,  friend 
or  stranger.  There  is  a  place  at  his  table  for  the  visitor  at  all  times, 
without  money  and  without  price,  and  no  one  having  the  slightest 
claim  to  courtesy  of  this  kind  need  hesitate  to  accept  the  invitation. 


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THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE.  131 

There  is  little  travel  or  communication  on  the  island,  so  even  if  the 
guest  be  an  entire  stranger,  his  host  will  feel  amply  repaid  for  his  hos- 
pitality by  the  news  the  traveler  brings  from  the  outside  world.  There 
is  a  good  old  custom  among  the  Danes,  that  when  the  first  toast  is 
drunk,  it  is  to  the  roof  of  the  house  which  covers  everyone  in  it,  mean- 
ing thereby  it  is  all  one  family.  This  same  custom  might  appropri- 
ately be  kept  up  amongst  the  Cuban  planters,  for  when  one  takes  his 
sent  at  the  table,  he  is  immediately  installed  as  one  of  the  family 
circle. 

Education  and  Religion. 

Education  is  woefully  backward  on  the  island.  In  the  absence  of 
recent  statistics  it  is  estimated  that  not  one-tenth  of  the  children 
receive  lettered  education  of  any  kind,  and  even  among  the  higher 
classes  of  society,  liberal  education  is  very  far  from  being  universally 
diffused.  A  few  literary  and  scientific  men  are  to  be  found  both  in  the 
higher  and  middle  ranks,  and  previous  to  the  revolution,  the  question 
of  public  instruction  excited  some  interest  among  the  Creole  popula- 
tion. 

At  Havana  is  the  royal  university  with  a  rector  and  thirty  profes- 
sors, and  medical  and  law  schools,  as  well  as  an  institution  called  the 
Royal  College  of  Havana.  There  is  a  similar  establishment  at  Puerto 
Principe,  in  the  eastern  interior,  and  both  at  Havana  and  Santiago  de 
Cuba  there  is  a  college  in  which  the  branches  of  ecclesiastical  educa- 
tion are  taught,  together  with  the  humanities  and  philosophy.  Besides 
this  there  are  several  private  schools,  but  these  are  not  accessible  to 
the  masses.  The  inhabitants  can  scarcely  be  said  to.  have  any  litera- 
ture, a  few  daily  and  weekly  journals,  under  a  rigid  censorship,  sup- 
ply almost  all  the  taste  for  letters  in  the  island. 

To  show  how  little  liberty  of  opinion  the  newspapers  of  Cuba  enjoy, 
we  quote  a  decree  issued  by  General  Weyler,  formerly  Captain-Gen- 
eral of  the  island: 

Don  Valeriano  Weyler  y  Nicolau,  Marquis  of  Tenerife,  governor-general, 
captain-general  of  the  Island  of  Cuba,  and  general-in-chief  of  this  army. 

Under  the  authority  of  the  law  of  public  order,    dated    the    23rd    of 
April,  1870. 

I  Order  and  Command, 

1st.     No  newspaper  shall  publish  any  news  concerning  the  war  which 
is  not  authorized  b    the  staff  officers. 


132  THE  CUBANS  AND  HOW  THEY  LIVE. 

2nd.  Neither  shall  be  published  any  telegraphic  communications  of  a 
political  character  without  the  authority  given  by  the  secretary  of  the  gov- 
ernor general  in  Havana,  or  by  the  civil  officers  in  the  other  provinces. 

3rd.  It  is  hereby  forbidden  to  publish  any  editorials,  or  other  articles  or 
illustrations,  which  may  directly  or  indirectly  tend  to  lessen  the  prestige  of 
the  mother-country,  the  army,  or  the  authorities,  or  to  exaggerate  the  forces 
and  the  importance  of  the  insurrection,  or  in  any  way  to  favor  the  latter,  or  to 
cause  unfounded  alarm,  or  excite  the  feelings  of  the  people. 

4th.  The  infractions  of  this  decree,  not  included  in  Articles  first  and 
sixth  of  the  decree  of  February  16th  last,  will  make  the  offenders  liable  to 
the  penalties  named  in  Article  36,  of  the  law  of  the  23rd  of  April,  1870. 

5th.  All  persons  referred  to  in  Article  14  of  the  Penal  Code  of  the 
Peninsula,  which  is  in  force  in  this  Island,  will  be  held  responsible  for  said 
infractions  in  the  same  order  as  established  by  the  said  Article. 

6th.  Whenever  a  newspaper  has  twice  incurred  the  penalty  of  said 
offense,  and  shall  give  cause  for  a  third  penalty,  it  may  be  then  suppressed. 

7th.  The  civil  governors  are  in  charge  of  the  fulfillment  of  this  decree, 
and  against  their  resolutions,  which  must  be  always  well  founded,  the  inter- 
ested parties  may  appeal  within  twenty-four  hours  following  their  notifica- 
tion. VALERIANO  WEYLEB. 

Havana,  April  27,  1S96. 

Population  of  the  Island. 

Conflicting  accounts  render  it  impossible  to  arrive  at  anything  like 
a  certainty  as  to  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  Cuba  at  the;  time  of  its 
conquest,  but  it  may  be  estimated  at  from  300,000  to  400,000.  There  is 
but  little  doubt,  however,  that  before  1560  the  whole  of  this  popula- 
tion had.  disappeared  from  the  island.  The  first  census  was  taken  in 
1774,  when  the  population  was  171,620.  In  1791  it  was  272,300. 

Owing  to  the  disturbed  condition  of  the  island,  no  census  of  the 
inhabitants  has  been  taken  since  that  of  1887,  when  the  total  popula- 
tion was  1,631,687.  Of  this  number,  1,111,303  were  whites,  and  520,684 
were  of  negro  blood.  These  figures  make  questionable  the  claim  that 
the  war  for  liberty  is  simply  an  insurrection  of  the  colored  against  the 
Caucasian  race. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
HAVANA,  THE   METROPOLIS  OF  THE  ISLAND. 

Havana  and  Its  Attractions  for  Tourists — How  to  Reach  Cuba — Description 
of  the  Harbor  of  Havana — How  the  Proverbial  Unhealthfulness  of  the 
City  May  Be  Remedied — Characteristics  of  the  Business  Quarter — 
Residences  and  How  the  People  Live — Parks  and  Boulevards — Other 
Features  of  Life  in  the  City . 

In  spite  of  the  little  encouragement  which  American  tourists  have 
had  for  visiting  the  city  of  Havana,  for  many  years  it  has  been  a  pop- 
ular place  of  resort  for  the  few  who  have  .tried  it  or  have  been  recom- 
mended to  it  by  their  friends.  With  the  attractions  it  has  had  during 
Spanish  administration,  when  an  air  of  constraint  and  suspicion  marked 
the  intercourse  with  every  American,  it  will  not  be  surprising  if  under 
changed  auspices  and  in  an  atmosphere  of  genuine  freedom,  Americans 
will  find  it  one  of  the  most  delightful  and  easily  accessible  places  possi- 
ble for  them  to  visit.  It  is  not  all  pleasant,  but  the  unpleasant  things 
are  sometimes  quite  as  interesting  as  the  pleasant  ones.  If  the  traveler 
forms  his  judgments  according  to  the  actual  comforts  he  may  obtain, 
he  will  be  pleased  from  beginning  to  end  of  his  stay.  If  the  measure  of 
his  good  opinion  is  whether  or  not  things  are  like  those  to  which  he  is 
accustomed,  he  will  be  disappointed,  because  novelty  reigns.  But  nov- 
elty does  not  necessarily  mean  discomfort. 

Havana  may  be  reached  by  a  sea  voyage  of  three  or  four  days  from 
New  York,  on  any  one  of  several  excellent  steamers  under  the  American 
flag,  and  even  in  winter  the  latter  portion  of  the  voyage  will  be  a  pleas- 
ant feature  of  the  journey.  Or  the  path  of  the  American  invading  squad- 
ron may  be  followed,  and  the  traveler,  after  passing  through  Florida  by 
rail,  may  journey  from  Tampa  by  the  mail  steamers,  and  touching  at 
Key  West  for  a  few  hours,  reach  Havana  after  a  voyage  of  two  nights 
and  a  day. 

The  Florida  straits,  between  Cuba  and  the  Florida  keys,  which  were 
the  scene  of  the  first  hostilities  of  the  war,  are  but  ninety  miles  wide, 
and  the  voyage  is  made  from  Key  West  in  a  few  hours.  The  current  of 

133 


134  HAVANA,  THE  METROPOLIS  OF  THE  ISLAND. 

the  gulf  stream  makes  the  channel  a  trifle  reminiscent  of  the  English 
channel,  but  once  under  the  lee  of  the  Cuban  coast  the  water  is  still 
and  the  harbor  of  the  old  city  offers  shelter. 

In  the  days  before  the  war,  Morro  Castle  had  an  added  interest  to 
the  traveler  from  the  fact  that  behind  its  frowning  guns  and  under 
the  rocks  on  which  it  was  built,  were  the  cells  of  scores  of  sad  prisoners, 
some  of  them  for  years  in  the  dungeons,  wbose  walls  could  tell  secrets 
like  those  of  the  inquisition  in  Spain  if  they  could  but  speak.  Between 
Morro  Castle  and  its  neighbor  across  the  way,  La  Punta,  the  vessels 
steam  into  that  bay,  foul  with  four  hundred  years  of  Spanish  misrule 
and  filth,  where  three  hundred  years  of  the  slave  trade  centered,  and 
into  which  the  sewers  of  a  great  city  poured  their  filth.  Once  inside  the 
harbor,  Cabana  Castle  frowns  from  tlie  hills  behind  Morro,  and  on  the 
opposite  shore  rise  the  buildings  of  the  city  itself. 

The  harbor  always  has  been  a  busy  one,  for  the  commerce  of  the 
island  and  of  the  city  has  been  large.  In  times  of  peace,  scores  of  vessels 
lie  at  anchor  in  the  murky  waters.  The  American  anchorage  for  mail 
steamers  for  years  has  been  in  the  extremest  part  of  the  bay  from  the 
city  of  Havana  itself,  in  order  to  avoid  the  contagion  which  was  threat- 
ened by  a  nearer  anchorage.  Until  the  Maine  was  guided  to  her  ill- 
fated  station  by  the  harbor  master,  it  had  been  long  since  any  American 
vessel  had  stopped  in  that  part  of  the  harbor. 

Perfect  Sanitary  Condition  Easily  Created. 

The  shallow  harbor  of  Havana  has  its  entrance  from  the  ocean 
through  a  channel  hardly  more  than  three  hundred  yards  wide,  and 
nearly  half  a  mile  long,  after  which  it,  broadens  and  ramifies  until  its 
area  becomes  several  square  miles.  No  fresh  water  stream,  large  or 
small,  flows  into  it  to  purify  the  waters.  The  harbor  entrance  is  so  nar- 
row, and  the  tides  along  that  coast  have  so  little  rise  and  fall,  that  the 
level  of  water  in  the  harbor  hardly  shows  perceptible  change  day  after 
day. 

The  result  of  this  is  that  the  constant  inflow  of  sewage  from  the  great 
city  pouring  into  the  harbor  is  never  diluted,  and  through  the  summer 
is  simply  a  festering  mass  of  corruption,  fronting  the  whole  sea  wall  and 
throwing  a  stench  into  the  air  which  must  be  breathed  by  everyone  on 
shipboard.  There  is  one  part  of  the  harbor  known  as  "dead  man's  hole," 
from  which  it  is  said  no  ship  has  ever  sailed  after  an  anchorage  of  more 


HAVANA,  THE  METROPOLIS  OF  THE  ISLAND.  135 

than  one  day,  without  bearing  the  infection  of  yellow  fever  among  its 
crew. 

Along  the  shores  of  this  very  harbor  are  great  warehouses  for  thfe 
sugar  and  tobacco  shipped  into  the  United  States  by  the  thousands  of 
tons  every  year.  To  preserve  our  national  health,  our  government  has 
maintained  an  expensive  marine  hospital  service  and  quarantine  sys- 
tem along  our  southern  ports  which  trade  with  Havana,  in  addition  to 
supporting  a  marine  hospital  service  under  the  eminent  Dr.  Burgess  in 
Havana  itself.  To  the  rigid  enforcement  of  this  system,  and  the  untiring 
vigilance  of  Dr.  Burgess,  must  be  credited  the  immunity  which  the 
United  States  has  had  from  annual  epidemics  of  yellow  fever  and  small- 
pox. 

The  guilt  of  Spain  in  permitting  this  shocking  condition  to  continue2 
cannot  in  any  wTay  be  palliated.  For  four  hundred  years  she  has  had 
sway  in  the  island,  free  to  work  her  own  will,  and  drawing  millions  of 
dollars  of  surplus  revenue  out  of  the  grinding  taxes  she  has  imposed. 
The  installation  of  a  sanitary  system  of  sewage,  which  should  discharge 
into  the  open  sea  instead  of  into  this  cesspool  which  lies  at  the  city's  feet, 
would  have  been  the  first  solution  of  the  difficulty.  The  threat  of  danger 
would  have  been  finally  averted  by  the  expenditure  of  a  few  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  which  would  open  a  channel  from  the  further  ex- 
tremity of  the  harbor  to  the  ocean  eastward.  The  distance  is  but  a  few 
miles  and  the  engineering  problem  a  simple  one.  This  and  the  con- 
struction of  a  jetty  northwestward  from  the  point  on  which  Morro 
Castle  stands,  would  divert  a  portion  of  the  current  of  the  noble  gulf 
stream  into  the  harbor  entrance,  and  the  foul  pond  of  to-day  would  be 
scoured  of  its  filth  by  a  perennial  flood  which  could  never  fail. 

Vera  Cruz,  on  the  Mexican  coast,  has  proven  that  it  is  possible  to  ex- 
terminate yellow  fever,  and  it  is  a  duty  owed  to  civilization  that  Havana 
shall  follow  along  the  same  path.  If  all  other  excuses  were  to  be  ig- 
nored, the  United  States  for  years  has  had  ample  cause  for  intervention 
in  Cuban  affairs,  as  a  measure  of  safety  to  the  health  of  her  own  citizens, 
as  truly  as  one  man  may  complain  to  the  authorities  if  his  neighbor 
maintains  a  nuisance  in  the  adjoining  yard. 

The  Business  Quarters  of  Havana. 

Once  anchored  in  the  safest  place  in  the  harbor,  the  mail  steamers 
are  surrounded  without  delay  by  a  fleet  of  peculiar  boats  of  a  sort  seen 
only  in  the  bay  of  Havana,  For  a  bit  of  silver,  the  traveler  is  taken 


136  HAVANA,  THE  METROPOLIS  OF  THE  ISLAND. 

ashore,  the  journey  to  the  landing  stage  being  a  matter  of  but  a  few 
moments.  The  journey  through  the  custom  house  is  not  a  formidable 
one,  for  unless  there  is  suspicion  of  some  contraband  goods,  the  customs 
officers  are  not  exacting  upon  travelers.  At  the  door  of  the  custom 
house,  or  aduana,  wait  the  cabs,  which  are  cheaper  in  Havana  than  in 
any  other  city  of  the  new  world,  and  they  serve  as  a  conveyance  to  the 
hotels,  which  are  all  grouped  in  the  same  neighborhood. 

The  streets  through  which  the  traveler  passes  are  picturesque,  but 
hardly  practical,  from  the  American  point  of  view.  Some  of  them  are 
so  narrow  that  carriages  cannot  pass,  and  all  traffic  must  go  in  one 
direction.  Nearly  all  of  the  business  streets  have  awnings  extending 
from  one  side  to  the  other,  between  the  roofs,  as  a  protection  from  the 
tropic  sun.  The  sidewalks  on  some  of  the  most  pretentious  streets  are 
not  wide  enough  for  three  persons  to  walk  abreast,  and  on  others  two 
cannot  pass.  On  every  hand  one  gets  the  impression  of  antiquity,  and 
antiquity  even  greater  than  the  four  hundred  years  of  Spanish  occu- 
pancy actually  measures.  Spanish  architecture,  however  modern  it 
may  be,  sometimes  adds  to  that  impression  and  one  might  believe  him- 
self, with  little  stretch  of  the  imagination,  to  be  in  one  of  the  ancient 
cities  of  the  old  world. 

The  streets  are  paved  with  blocks  of  granite  and  other  stone,  roughly 
cut  and  consequently  exceedingly  noisy,  but  ujxm  these  narrow  streets 
front  some  shops  as  fine  as  one  might  expect  to  discover  in  New  York 
or  Paris,  It  is  true  that  they  are  not  large,  but  they  do  not  need  to  be, 
for  nearly  all  are  devoted  to  specialties,  instead  of  carrying  stocks  of 
goods  of  the  American  diversity.  The  one  who  wants  to  shop  will  not 
lack  for  temptations.  The  selection  is  ample  in  any  line  that  may  be 
named,  the  styles  are  modern  and  in  exquisite  taste,  and  altogether  the 
shops  are  a  considerable  surprise  to  one  who  judges  them  first  from 
the  exterior.  Stores  devoted  exclusively  to  fans,  parasols,  gloves,  laces, 
jewels,  bronzes,  silks  and  the  beautiful  cloth  of  pineapple  fiber  known 
as  nipe  cloth,  are  an  indication  of  the  variety  that  may  be  found.  The 
shoes  and  other  articles  of  men's  and  women's  clothing  are  nearly  all 
direct  importations  from  Paris,  and  where  Parisian  styles  dominate  one 
may  be  assured  that  the  selection  is  not  a  scanty  one.  Clerks  are 
courteous  even  to  the  traditional  point  of  Castilian  obsequiousness,  and 
altogether  a  shopping  expedition  along  this  Obispo  street  is  an  experi- 
ence to  be  remembered  with  pleasure. 


HAVANA,  THE   METROPOLIS  OF  THE   ISLAND.  137 


Havana  Homes. 

You  notice  that  everything  is  made  to  serve  comfort  and  coolness. 
Instead  of  having  panes  of  glass,  the  windows  are  open  and  guarded  by 
light  iron  railings,  and  the  heavy  wooden  doors  are  left  ajar.  You  see 
into  many  houses  as  you  pass  along,  and  very  cool  and  clean  they  look. 
There  are  marble  floors,  cane-seated  chairs  and  lounges,  thin  lace  cur- 
tains, and  glimpses  of  courts  in  the  center  of  each  building,  often  with 
green  plants  or  gaudy  flowers  growing  in  them  between  the  parlor  and 
the  kitchen. 

You  find  much  the  same  plan  at  your  hotel.  You  may  walk  in  at 
the  doors  or  the  dining  room  windows  just  as  you  please,  for  the  sides 
of  the  house  seem  capable  of  being  all  thrown  open;  while  in  the  center 
of  the  building  you  see  the  blue  sky  overhead.  Equally  cool  do  all  the  in- 
habitants appear  to  be,  and  the  wise  man  who  consults  his  own  comfort 
will  do  well  to  follow  the  general  example.  Even  the  soldiers  wear 
straw  hate.  The  gentlemen  are  clad  in  underwear  of  silk  or  lisle  thread 
and  suits  of  linen,  drill  or  silk,  and  the  ladies  are  equally  coolly  ap- 
parelled. 

Havana  is  a  dressy  place,  and  you  will  be  astonished  at  the  neatness 
and  style  to  which  the  tissue-like  goods  worn  there  are  made  to  conform. 

But  come  and  see  the  apartment  you  are  to  rest  in  every  night.  Ten 
to  one  the  ceiling  is  higher  than  you  ever  saw  one  in  a  private  house,  and 
the  huge  windows  open  upon  a  balcony  overlooking  a  verdant  plaza. 
The  floor  is  of  marble  or  tiling,  and  the  bed  is  an  ornate  iron  or  brass 
affair,  with  a  tightly  stretched  sheet  of  canvas  or  fine  wire  netting  in 
place  of  the  mattress  you  are  used  to.  You  could  not  sleep  on  a  mat- 
tress with  any  proper  degree  of  comfort  in  the  tropics.  There  is  a  canopy 
with  curtains  overhead,  and  everything  about  the  room  is  pretty  certain 
to  be  scrupulously  clean.  Conspicuous  there  and  everywhere  else  that 
you  go  is  a  rocking  chair.  Rocking  chairs  are  to  be  found  in  the  houses, 
and  in  regiments  in  the  clubs. 

Havana  is  the  metropolis  of  the  West  Indies.  It  has  more  life  and 
bustle  than  all  the  rest  of  the  archipelago  put  together.  If  you  are 
German,  English,  Scotch,  Dutch,  American,  French  or  whatever  you 
are,  you  will  find  fellow  countrymen  among  its  250,000  souls.  There  is 
a  public  spirit  there  which  is  rare  in  these  climes.  The  theaters  astonish 
you  by  their  size  and  elegance.  The  aristocratic  club  is  the  Union,  but 


138  HAVANA,   THE   METROPOLIS   OF   THE    ISLAND. 

the  popular  one  is  the  Casino  Espanol,  whose  club  house  is  a  marvel  of 
tropical  elegance  and  beauty.  Nearly  all  these  attractions  are  on  or 
near  the  broad,  shady  and  imposing  thoroughfare,  the  Prado — a  suc- 
cession of  parks  leading  from  the  water  opposite  Morro  Castle  almost 
across  the  city. 

In  one  or  another  of  these  parks  a  military  band  plays  on  three 
evenings  of  the  week,  and  the  scene  on  such  occasions  is  wholly  new  to 
English  eyes.  It  is  at  such  times  that  one  may  see  the  beautiful  Spanish 
and  Cuban  women.  They  do  not  leave  their  houses  in  the  heat  of  the 
day  unless  something  requires  them  to  do  so,  and  when  they  do  they 
remain  in  their  carriages,  and  are  accompanied  by  a  servant  or  an  elder- 
ly companion.  So  strict  is  the  privacy  with  which  they  are  surrounded 
that  you  shall  see  them  shopping  without  quitting  their  carriages, 
waited  on  by  the  clerks,  who  bring  the  goods  out  to  the  vehicles. 

But  when  there  is  music  under  the  laurels  or  palms  the  senoritas, 
in  their  light  draperies,  and  wearing  nothing  on  their  heads  save 
the  picturesque  mantilla  of  Old  Spain,  assemble  on  the  paths,  the  seats, 
the  sidewalks  and  in  their  carriages,  and  there  the  masculine  element 
repairs  and  is  very  gallant,  indeed. 

Here  youwTill  listen  to  the  dreamy  melody  of  these  latitudes,  Spanish 
love  songs  and  Cuban  waltzes  so  softly  pretty  that  you  wonder  all  the 
world  does  not  sing  and  play  them.  On  other  nights  the  walk  or  drive 
along  the  Prado  is  very  interesting.  You  pass  some  of  the  most  elegant 
of  the  houses,  and  notice  that  they  are  two  stories  high,  and  that  the 
family  apartments  are  on  the  upper  stories,  so  that  you  miss  the  furtive 
views  of  the  families  at  meals  and  of  the  ladies  reclining  in  the  broad- 
tiled  window  sills  that  you  have  in  the  older  one-story  sections  of  the 
city. 


CHAPTEK  X. 

THE  CITIES  OF  CUBA. 

The  Harbor  of  Matanzas — Sports  of  the  Carnival — Santiago  de  Cuba  and  Its 
Beautiful  Bay — Cardinas,  the  Commercial  Center — Enormous  Exports 
of  Sugar — The  Beauties  of  Trinidad — Other  Cities  of  Importance. 

The  city  of  Havana  may  be  said  to  stand  in  the  same  relation  to 
Cuba  that  Paris  does  to  France,  for  in  it  are  centered  the  culture,  the 
refinement,  and  the  wealth  of  the  island,  but  there  are  several  other 
towns  of  considerable  importance,  and  many  of  them  have  become 
places  of  interest  since  the  struggle  for  liberty  has  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  civilized  world. 

Chief  among  these  is  Matanzas.  This  city,  with  a  normal  popula- 
tion of  about  60,000,  is  situated  fifty  miles  east  of  Havana,  with  which  it 
is  connected  by  rail  and  water.  Its  shipping  interests  are  second  only 
to  those  of  the  capital,  as  it  is  the  outlet  of  many  of  the  richest  agricul- 
tural districts  of  the  island. 

The  city  is  situated  on  the  flats  on  both  sides  of  the  San  Juan  river, 
which  brings  down  large  quantities  of  mud  and  greatly  impedes  inland 
navigation.  As  an  offset  the  bay  is  spacious,  easy  of  access  and  shel- 
tered from  the  violent  gulf  storms  which  prevail  at  some  seasons.  This 
makes  the  port  a  favorite  with  marine  men.  A  large  amount  of  money 
has  been  spent  by  the  government  to  fortify  and  protect  the  city,  and  it 
has  been  connected  by  rail  with  all  the  principal  towns  and  producing 
centers  of  the  provinces.  Thus  it  is  a  particularly  favorite  port  of  entry 
for  all  the  supplies  required  in  the  plantations — food  staples  and  ma- 
chinery. Its  exports  consist  principally  of  sugar,  coffee,  molasses,  to- 
bacco, honey,  wax  and  fruits. 

The  city  is  built  principally  of  masonry  and  in  a  most  substantial 
manner,  though  little  effort  has  been  made  to  secure  architectural 
beauty.  The  pride  of  the  city  is  the  new  theater,  which  is  pointed  out 
as  the  handsomest  building  in  Cuba,  The  Empresa  Academy  also  takes 
rank  equal  with  any  for  the  excellence  of  its  educational  facilities. 

There  is  no  more  charming  spot  in  Cuba  than  Matanzas.    The 

139 


140  THE  CITIES  OF   CUBA. 

is  like  a  crescent  in  shape,  and  receives  the  waters  of  the  Yumuri  and 
Matanzas  rivers,  two  small  unnavigajble  streams.  A  high  bridge  sepa- 
rates them.  On  this  ridge  back  of  the  town  stands  a  cathedral  dedicated 
to  the  black  virgin.  It  is  a  reproduction  of  a  cathedral  in  the  Balearic 
Islands.  The  view  from  its  steeple  is  magnificent.  Looking  backward 
the  valley  of  the  Yumuri  stretches  to  the  right.  It  is  about  ten  miles 
wide  and  sixty  miles  long,  dotted  with  palms,  and  as  level  as  a  barn 
floor.  The  Yumuri  breaks  through  the  mountains  near  Matanzas  bay 
something  like  the  Arkansas  river  at  Canon  City.  Carpeted  with  living 
green  and  surrounded  with  mountains  this  valley  is  one  of  the  gems  of 
Cuba. 

About  ten  miles  from  Matanzas,  on  the  left  of  the  road,  stand  what 
are  known  as  the  Breadloaf  Mountains.  They  rise  from  the  plain  like 
the  Spanish  peaks  in  Colorado.  These  mountains  are  the  headquarters 
of  General  Betancourt,  who  commands  the  insurgents  in  the  province. 
The  Spaniards  have  offered  f  1,000  reward  for  his  head.  Several  efforts 
have  been  made  to  secure  it,  but  in  all  cases  the  would-be  captor  has  lost 
his  own  head. 

In  accordance  with  the  Weyler  edict  11,000  reconcentrados  were 
herded  together  at  Matanzas,  and  within  a  year  over  9,000  of  them  died 
in  the  city.  In  the  Plaza,  under  the  shadow  of  the  Governor's  residence, 
twenty-three  people  died  from  starvation  in  one  day.  The  province  of 
Matanzas  is  not  larger  in  area  than  the  state  of  Delaware,  yet  55,000 
people  have  perished  from  starvation  and  incident  diseases  since  the 
order  went  into  effect, 

But  all  the  people  of  Matanzas  are  not  reconcentrados,  and  even 
in  the  midst  of  war's  alarms  they  find  time  for  amusement,  as  the  fol- 
lowing description  of  a  carnival  ball  will  prove: 

"It  was  our  good  fortune  to  be  in  Matanzas  during  the  last  three 
days  of  the  Carnival;  and  while  the  whole  time  was  occupied  by  noisy 
processions  and  grotesque  street  masqueraders,  the  crowning  cere- 
monies were  on  the  last  Sunday  night.  Then  the  whole  town  used  every 
effort  to  wind  up  the  season  in  a  'feu  de  joie'  of  pleasure  and  amusement. 
In  almost  every  town  of  any  importance  there  is  an  association  of  young 
men,  generally  known  as  'El  Liceo,'  organized  for  artistic  and  literary 
purposes,  and  for  social  recreation.  A  fine  large  building  is  generally 
occupied  by  the  association,  with  ample  space  for  theatrical  representa- 
tions, balls,  etc.;  in  addition  to  which  there  are  billiard  rooms,  and  read- 
ing rooms,  adorned,  probably  with  fine  paintings.  In  Matanzas  this 


THE   CITIES  OF   CUBA.  141 

association  is  known  as  'El  Liceo  Artistico  y  Literario  de  Matanzas,' 
and  is  a  particularly  fine  one,  being  composed  of  the  elite  of  the  city, 
with  a  fine  large  house,  to  which  they  made  an  addition  by  purchasing 
the  'Club,'  beautifully  situated  upon  the  Plaza. 

"Thanks  to  our  letter  of  introduction,  we  were,  through  the  kind 
offices  of  the  members,  permitted  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  their  grand 
ball,  called  the  'Pinata,'  which  was  indeed  a  very  grand  affair,  attended 
by  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  Matanzas.  The  ball  commenced  at  the 
seasonable  hour  of  8  o'clock  in  the  evening;  and  at  entering,  each  one 
was  required  to  give  up  his  ticket  to  a  committee  of  managers,  who  thus 
had  a  kind  of  general  inspection  of  all  those  admitted. 

"The  ball  room  was  a  long,  large  hall,  at  the  other  end  of  which 
was  a  pretty  stage  for  theatrical  representations;  on  each  side  of  the 
room  was  an  arched  colonnade,  over  which  were  the  galleries,  where 
the  band  was  posted.  Kanged  in  double  rows  of  chairs  the  full  length 
of  the  room  in  front  of  the  colonnade,  sat  hundreds  of  dark-eyed  angels, 
calm,  dignified,  and  appearing,  most  of  them,  to  be  mere  lookers  on; 
not  a  black  coat  among  them.  All  of  these,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
courageous  ones  that  were  facing  all  this  beauty,  were  huddled  to- 
gether at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  wanting  the  courage  (it  could  not 
be  the  inclination)  to  pay  their  respects  to  'las  Senoritas.' 

"What  is  exactly  the  trouble  in  Cuba  between  the  gentlemen  and 
the  ladies  I  never  have  been  able  to  quite  understand.  The  men  are 
polished  and  gentlemanly,  as  a  general  thing — sufficiently  intelligent, 
apparently;  while  the  ladies  are  dignified  and  pretty.  And  yet  I  have 
never  seen  that  appearance  of  easy  and  pleasant  intercourse  between  the 
sexes  which  makes  our  society  so  charming. 

"I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  it  is  the  fault  of  custom,  in  a>  great 
degree,  which  surrounds  women  in  Cuba  with  etiquette,  iron  bars  and 
formality.  This  would  seem  to  apply  to  the  natives  only,  for  nothing 
can  be  kinder,  more  friendly  and  courteous  than  the  manners  of  the 
Cuban  ladies  to  strangers,  at  least,  judging  from  what  is  seen.  It  may 
be  as  a  lady  with  whom  I  was  arguing  the  point  said:  'It  is  very  differ- 
ent with  strangers,  Senor,  and  particularly  with  the  Americans,  who 
are  celebrated  for  their  chivalric  gallantry  to  ladies.'  Now  I  call  that  a 
very  pretty  national  compliment. 

"Taking  the  arm  of  my  friend,  we  walk  up  and  down  to  see,  as  he 
expresses  it,  'who  there  is  to  be  presented  to,'  and  faith,  if  beauty  is  to 
be  the  test,  it  would  seem  to  be  a  hard  matter  to  make  up  one's  mind, 


142  THE   CITIES  OF  CUBA. 

there  is  so  much  of  it,  but  after  a  turn  or  two  around  the  room,  this 
form  is  gone  through  with,  and  one  begins  to  feel  at  home  and  ready  to 
enjoy  one's  self. 

"When  one  finds  ladies  (and-there  are  numbers)  who  have  been  edu- 
cated abroad,  either  in  the  United  States  or  Europe,  he  finds  them 
highly  accomplished  and  entertaining.  Several  that  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  on  this  and  other  occasions  spoke  French  perfectly,  some 
English,  and  one  or  two  both  of  these  in  addition  to  their  native  tongue. 

"But  let  us  return  to  the  ball,  which  is  all  the  time  going  on  with 
great  eclat.  It  opens  with  the  advent  upon  the  stage  of  a  dozen  or  more 
young  men,  under  the  direction  of  a  leader,  in  some  fancy  costume  very 
handsomely  made,  who,  after  making  their  bow  to  the  audience,  go 
through  some  novel  kind  of  a  dance.  The  performers  take  this  means 
of  filling  up  the  intervals  of  the  general  dance,  and  amusing  the  audi- 
ence. 

"It  is  now  getting  late,  and  the  rooms  are  terribly  wTarm.  The  fans 
of  the  long  rows  of  lovely  sitters,  who  have  not  moved  out  of  their  places 
the  whole  evening,  keep  up  a  constant  flutter,  and  one  begins  to  sigh  for  a 
breath  of  fresh  air,  and  relief  from  the  discomforts  of  a  full  dress  suit. 
But  the  grand  affair  of  the  evening  is  yet  to  come  off,  we  are  told,  so 
we  linger  on,  and  are  finally  rewarded  by  the  grand  ceremony  of  the 
'Pinata/  from  which  the  ball  takes  its  name.  This  word  I  can  hardly 
give  the  meaning  of  as  applied  to  this  ceremony,  which  consists  in 
having  pendent  from  the  ceiling  a  form  of  ribbands  and  flowTers,  the  rib- 
bands numbered  and  hanging  from  the  flowers,  the  rights  to  pull  which 
are  drawrn  like  prizes  in  a  lottery.  Of  these  ribbands,  one  is  fastened 
to  a  beautiful  crowrn  of  flowers,  which,  when  the  ribband  to  which  it  is 
attached  is  pulled,  falls  into  the  hands  of  the  lucky  person,  who  has  the 
privilege  of  crowning  any  lady  he  may  deem  worthy  of  the  honor  'Queen 
of  the  Ball/  to  whom  every  one  is  obliged  to  yield  obedience,  homage, 
and  admiration.  There  is,  also,  the  same  opportunity  afforded  to  the 
ladies  to  crown  a  king.  The  whole  ceremony  is1  pretty,  and  creates 
much  merriment  and  amusement. 

"This  ceremony  over,  at  midnight  we  sally  out  into  the  open  air. 
But  what  a  sight  greets  us  there!  Lights  blaze  in  such  profusion  that 
it  seems  more-  than  day.  Music  and  dancing  are  everywhere.  Songs 
and  mirth  have  taken  complete  possession  of  the  place,  while  people  of 
all  ages,  sexes  and  colors  are  mixed  together,  in  what  seems  inextricable 
confusion,  intent  upon  having  a  good  time  in  the  open  air  while  their 


THE  CITIES  OF  CUBA.  143 

masters  and  betters  are  doing  the  same  thing  under  cover.    This  is  a 
carnival  sight  indeed,  and  only  to  be  seen  in  a  tropical  clime." 

Guantanamo,  the  Home  of  the  Pirates. 

Approaching  Cuba  as  Columbus  did — across  the  narrow  stretch  of 
sea  from  San  Domingo — you  first  sight  the  long,  low  promontory  of  the 
eastern  tip,  which  the  discoverer  named  Point  Maysi.  So  different  is 
the  prospect  from  that  seen  at  the  other  end  of  the  island,  as  you  come 
down  in  the  usual  route  from  New  York  or  Florida,  that  you  can  hardly 
believe  it  is  the  same  small  country.  From  Maysi  Point  the  land  rises 
in  sharp  terraces,  backed  by  high  hills  and  higher  mountains,  all  so 
vague  in  mist  and  cloud  that  you  do  not  know  where  land  ends  and  sky 
begins.  Coming  nearer,  gray  ridges  are  evolved,  which  look  like  cowled 
monks  peering  over  each  other's  shoulders,  with  here  and  there  a 
majestic  peak  towering  far  above  his  fellows — like  the  Pico  Turquino, 
11,000  feet  above  the  sea.  Sailing  westward  along  this  south  shore,  the 
"Queen  of  the  Antilles"  looks  desolate  and  forbidding,  as  compared  to 
other  portions  of  the  West  Indies;  a  panorama  of  wild  heights  and 
sterile  shores,  and  surge-beaten  cliffs  covered  with  screaming  sea  birds. 
At  rare  intervals  an  opening  in  the  rock-bound  coast  betrays  a  tiny 
harbor,  bordered  by  cocoa  palms,  so  guarded  and  concealed  by  hills,  and 
its  sudden  revelation,  when  close  upon  it,  astonishes  you  as  it  did  the 
first  explorer. 

According  to  tradition,  everyone  of  these  was  once  a  pirate's  lair,  in 
the  good  old  days  we  read  about,  when  "long,  low,  suspicious-looking 
craft,  with  raking  masts,"  used  to  steal  out  from  sheltered  coves  to 
plunder  the  unwary.  Each  little  bay,  whose  existence  was  unknown 
to  honest  mariners,  has  a  high  wooded  point  near  its  entrance,  where  the 
sea  robbers  kept  perpetual  watch  for  passing  merchantmen  and  treas- 
ure-laden galleons,  their  own  swift-sailing  vessels  safe  out  of  sight 
within  the  cove;  and  then,  at  a  given  signal  out  they  would  dart  upon 
the  unsuspecting  prey  like  a  spider  from  his  web.  Among  the  most 
notorious  piratical  rendezvous  was  Gauntanamo,  which  our  warships 
are  said  to  have  shelled  two  or  three  times  of  late.  In  recent  years  its 
narrow  bay,  branching  far  inland  like  a  river,  has  become  of  consider- 
able consequence,  by  reason  of  a  railway  which  connects  it  with  Santi- 
ago, and  also  because  the  patriot  army,  hidden  in  the  nearby  mountains, 
have  entertained  hopes  of  overcoming  the  Spanish  garrison  and  making 


144  THE   CITiES  OF   CUBA. 

it  a  base  for  receiving  outside  assistance.  Before  the  war  there  were 
extensive  sugar  plantations  in  this  city,  now  all  devastated.  The  Cobre 
mountains,  looming  darkly  against  the  horizon,  are  the  great  copper  and 
iron  range  of  Cuba,  said  to  contain  untold  mineral  wealth,  waiting  to 
be  developed  by  Yankee  enterprise.  In  earlier  days  14,000,000  a  year 
was  the  average  value  of  Cuba's  copper  and  iron  exports;  but  in  1867 
6,000,000  tons  were  taken  out  in  less  than  ten  months.  Then  Spain  put 
her  foot  in  it,  as  usual.  Not  content  with  the  lion's  share,  which  she  had 
always  realized  in  exorbitant  taxes  on  the  product,  she  increased  the 
excise  charges  to  such  an  extent  as  to  kill  the  industry  outright.  For 
a  long  time  afterward  the  ore  lay  undisturbed  in  the  Cobre  "pockets," 
until  the  attention  of  Americans  was  turned  this  way.  Their  first 
iron  and  copper  claims  in  these  mountains  were  recognized  by  the 
Cuban  government  about  seventeen  years  ago.  Three  Yankee  corpora- 
tions have  developed  rich  tracts  of  mining  territory  hereabouts,  built 
railways  from  the  coast  to  their  works  on  the  hills  and  exported  ore  to 
the  United  States.  The  oldest  of  these  companies  employed  2,000  men, 
and  had  1,600  cars  and  a  fleet  of  twenty  steamers  for  the  transportation 
of  its  output.  The  Carnegie  Company,  whose  product  was  shipped  to 
Philadelphia,  also  employed  upwards  of  a  thousand  men. 

Santiago  de  Cuba. 

At  last  an  abrupt  termination  of  the  stern,  gray  cliffs  which  mark 
this  shore  line  indicates  the  proximity  of  Santiago  harbor,  and  a  nearer 
approach  reveals  the  most  picturesque  fort  or  castle,  as  well  as  one  of 
the  oldest,  to  be  found  on  the  western  hemisphere.  An  enormous 
rounding  rock,  whose  base  has  been  hollowed  into  great  caverns  by  the 
restless  Caribbean,  standing  just  at  the  entrance  of  the  narrow  channel 
leading  into  the  harbor,  is  carried  up  from  the  water's  edge  in  a  suc- 
cession of  walls,  ramparts,  towers  and  turrets,  forming  a  perfect  picture 
of  a  rock-ribbed  fortress  of  the  middle  ages.  This  is  the  famous  castle 
of  San  Jago,  the  Moro,  which  antedates  the  more  familiar  fortress  of  the 
same  name  in  Havana  harbor  by  at  least  a  hundred  years.  Words  are 
of  little  use  in  describing  this  antique,  Moorish-looking  stronghold,  with 
its  crumbling,  honey-combed  battlements,  queer  little  flanking  turrets 
and  shadowy  towers,  perched  upon  the  face  of  a  dun-colored  cliff  150 
feet  high — so  old,  so  odd,  so  different  from  anything  in  America  with 
which  to  compare  it.  A  photograph,  or  pencil  sketch  is  not  much  bet- 


THE  CITIES  OF   CUBA.  145 

ter,  and  even  a  paint  brush  could  not  reproduce  the  exact  shadings  of 
its  time-worn,  weather-mellowed  walls — the  Oriental  pinks  and  old 
blues  and  predominating  yellows  that  give  it  half  its  charm.  Upon  the 
lowermost  wall,  directly  overhanging  the  sea,  is  a  dome-shaped  sentry 
box  of  stone,  flanked  by  antiquated  cannon.  Above  it  the  lines  of 
masonry  are  sharply  drawn,  each  guarded  terrace  receding  upon  the  one 
next  higher,  all  set  with  cannon  and  dominated  by  a  massive  tower  of 
obsolete  construction. 

It  takes  a  good  while  to  see  it  all,  for  new  stories  and  stair- 
ways, wings  and  terraces,  are  constantly  cropping  out  in  un- 
expected places,  but  as  it  occupies  three  sides  of  the  rounding 
cliff  and  the  pilot  who  comes  aboard  at  the  entrance  to  the  chan- 
nel guides  your  steamer  close  up  under  the  frowning  battlements, 
you  have  ample  time  to  study  it.  Window  holes  cut  into  rock  in  all 
directions  show  how  extensive  are  the  excavations.  A  large  garrison  is 
always  quartered  here,  even  in  time  of  peace,  when  their  sole  business 
is  searching  for  shady  places  along  the  walls  against  which  to  lean. 
There  are  ranges  above  ranges  of  walks,  connected  by  stairways  cut  into 
the  solid  rock,  each  range  covered  with  lolling  soldiers.  You  pass  so 
near  that  you  can  hear  them  chattering  together.  Those  on  the  topmost 
parapet,  dangling  their  blue  woolen  legs  over,  are  so  high  and  so  directly 
overhead  that  they  remind  you  of  flies  on  the  ceiling. 

In  various  places  small  niches  have  been  excavated  in  the  cliff,  some 
with  crucifixes,  or  figures  of  saints,  and  in  other  places  the  bare,  un- 
broken wall  of  rock  runs  up,  sheer  straight  100  feet.  Below,  on  the 
ocean  side,  are  caves,  deep,  dark  and  uncanny,  worn  deep  into  the  rock. 
Some  of  them  are  so  extensive  that  they  have  not  been  explored  in  gen- 
erations. 

The  broad  and  lofty  entrances  to  one  of  them,  hollowed  by  the 
encroaching  sea,  is  as  perfect  an  arch  as  could  be  drawn  by  a  skillful 
architect,  and  with  it  a  tradition  is  connected  which  dates  back  a  couple 
of  centuries.  A  story  or  two  above  these  wave-eaten  caverns  are  many 
small  windows,  each  heavily  barred  with  iron.  They  are  dungeons  dug 
into  the  solid  rock,  and  over  them  might  well  be  written,  "Leave  hope 
behind,  ye  who  enter  here!"  A  crowd  of  haggard,  pallid  faces  are 
pressed  against  the  bars;  and  as  you  steam  slowly  by,  so  close  that  you 
might  speak  to  the  wretched  prisoners,  it  seems  as  if  a  shadow  had  sud- 
denly fallen  upon  the  bright  sunshine,  and  a  chill,  like  that  of  coming 
death,  oppresses  the  heart.  Since  time  out  of  niind,  the  Moro  of  Santi- 


146  THE  CITIES  OF   CUBA. 

ago  has  furnished  dungeons  for  those  who  have  incurred  the  displeasure 
of  the  government  infinitely  more  to  be  dreaded  than  its  namesake  in 
Havana,  Had  these  slimy  walls  a  tongue,  what  stories  they  might 
reveal  of  crime  and  suffering,  of  tortures  nobly  undergone,  of  death 
prolonged  through  dragging  years  and  murders  that  will  not  "out" 
until  the  judgment  day. 

Against  that  old  tower,  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  our  country- 
men of  the  Virginius  were  butchered  like  sheep.  Scores  of  later  patriots 
have  been  led  out  upon  the  ramparts  and  shot,  their  bodies,  perhaps, 
with  life  yet  in  them,  falling  into  the  sea,  where  they  were  snapped  up 
by  sharks  as  soon  as  they  touched  the  water. 

The  narrow,  winding  channel  which  leads  from  the  open  sea  into 
the  harbor,  pursues  its  sinuous  course  past  several  other  fortifications 
of  quaint  construction,  but  of  little  use  against  modern  guns — between 
low  hills  and  broad  meadows,  fishing  hamlets  and  cocoanut  groves. 
Presently  you  turn  a  sharp  angle,  in  the  hills  and  enter  a  broad,  land- 
locked bay,  inclosed  on  every  side  by  ranges  of  hills  with  numerous 
points  and  promontories  jutting  into  the  tranquil  water,  leaving  deep 
little  coves  behind  them,  all  fringed  with  cocoa-palms.  Between  this 
blue  bay  and  a  towering  background  of  purple  mountains  lies  the  city 
which  Diego  Velazquez,  its  founder,  christened  in  honor  of  the  patron 
saint  of  Spain,  as  far  back  as  the  year  1514.  It  is  the  oldest  standing 
city  in  the  new  world,  excepting  Santo  Domingo,  which  Columbus  him- 
self established  only  eighteen  years  earlier.  By  the  way,  San  Jago, 
San  Diego  and  Santiago,  are  really  the  same  name,  rendered  Saint 
James  in  our  language;  and  wherever  the  Spaniards  have  been  are  num- 
bers of  them.  This  particular  city  of  Saint  James  occupies  a  sloping 
hillside,  600  miles  southeast  from  Havana,  itself  the  capital  of  a  depart- 
ment, and  ranks  the  third  city  of  Cuba  in  commercial  importance — 
Matanzas  being  second.  As  usual  in  all  these  southern  ports,  the  water 
is  too  shallow  for  large  vessels  to  approach  the  dock  and  steamers 
have  to  anchor  a  mile  from  shore.  While  waiting  the  coming  of  health 
or  customs  officials,  these  lordly  gentlemen  who  are  never  given  to  un- 
dignified haste,  you  have  ample  time  to  admire  the  prospect,  and  if  the 
truth  must  be  told,  you  will  do  well  to  turn  about  without  going  ashore, 
if  you  wish  to  retain  the  first  delightful  impressions — for  this  old  city 
of  Spain's  patron  saint  is  one  of  the  many  to  which  distance  lends  en- 
chantment. 

Red-roofed  buildings  of  stone  and  adobe  entirely  cover  the  hillside, 


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THE   CITIES  OF   CUBA.  149 

with  here  and  there  a  dome,  a  tower,  a  church  steeple  shooting  upward, 
or  a  tall  palm  poking  its  head  above  a  garden  wall — the  glittering  green 
contrasting  well  with  the  ruddy  tiles  and  the  pink,  gray,  blue  and  yel- 
low of  the  painted  walls.  In  the  golden  light  of  a  tropical  morning  it 
looks  like  an  oriental  town,  between  sapphire  sea  and  turquoise  moun- 
tains. Its  low  massive  buildings,  whose  walls  surround  open  courts, 
with  pillared  balconies  and  corridors,  the  great  open  windows  protected 
by  iron  bars  instead  of  glass,  and  roofs  covered  with  earthen  tiles — are 
a  direct  importation  from  Southern  Spain,  if  not  from  further  east.  Tan- 
giers,  in  Africa,  is  built  upon  a  similar  sloping  hillside,  and  that  capital 
of  Morocco  does  not  look  a  bit  more  Moorish  than  Santiago  de  Cuba,  On 
the  narrow  strip  of  land  bordering  the  eastern  edge  of  the  harbor,  the 
Moro  at  one  end  and  the  city  at  the  other,  are  some  villas,  embowered 
in  groves  and  gardens,  which,  we  are  told,  belong  mostly  to  Americans 
who  are  interested  in  the  Cobre  mines.  The  great  iron  piers  on  the  right 
belong  to  the  American  mining  companies,  built  for  loading  ore  upon 
tbeir  ships. 

Cardinas. 

Fifty  miles  east  of  Matanzas  is  the  city  of  Cardinas,  the  last  port 
of  any  consequence  on  the  north  coast  of  the  island.  It  has  a  popula- 
tion of  25,000,  and  is  the  capital  of  a  fertile  district.  It  is  one  of  the 
main  outlets  of  Cuba's  richest  province,  Matanzas,  and  is  the  great  rail- 
road center  of  the  island,  or,  more  properly  speaking,  it  ought  to  be, 
as  the  railroads  of  the  country  form  a  junction  fifteen  miles  inland,  at 
an  insignificant  station  called  Jouvellenes. 

In  time  of  peace  Cardinas  enjoys  a  thriving  business,  particularly 
in  sugar  and  molasses,  its  exports  of  the  former  sometimes  amounting 
to  100,000  tons  a  year.  To  the  west  and  south  stretch  the  great  sugar 
estates  which  have  made  this  section  of  Spain's  domain  a  prize  to  be 
fought  for.  The  water  side  of  the  town  is  faced  with  long  wharves  and 
lined  with  warehouses,  and  its  extensive  railway  depot  would  do  credit 
to  any  metropolis. 

There  are  a  few  pretentious  public  buildings,  including  the  customs* 
house,  hospital  and  college.  Its  cobble  paved. streets  are  considerably 
wider  than  those  of  Havana,  and  have  two  lines  of  horse  cars.  There 
is  gas  and  electric  light,  and  more  two-story  houses  than  one  is  accus- 
tomed to  see  on  the  island. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  broad,  blue  bay  in  front,  and  the  Paseo, 
8 


150  TUP]   CITIES   OF   CUBA. 

whose  tall  trees  seem  to  be  touching'  finger  tips  across  the  road,  con- 
gratulating each  other  on  the  presence  of  eternal  summer,  Car.dinas  is 
not  an  attractive  town.  One  misses  the  glamor  of  antiquity  and  his- 
toric interest  which  pervades  Havana,  Matanzas  and  Santiago,  and  feels 
somehow  that  the  town  is  new  without  being  modern,  young  but  not 
youthful. 

Other  Cities  of  Importance. 

Puerto  Principe,  or  to  give  it  its  full  name  in  the  Spanish  tongue, 
Santa  Maria  de  Puerto  Principe,  is  the  capital  of  the  Central  depart- 
ment, and  is  situated  about  midway  between  the  north  and  south  coasts, 
305  miles  southeast  of  Havana,  and  forty-five  miles  southwest  of  Nue- 
vitas,  its  port,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  railroad.  Its  population 
is  about  30,000  and  it  is  surrounded  by  a  rich  agricultural  district,  the 
chief  products  of  which  are  sugar  and  tobacco.  The  climate  is  hot, 
moist  and  unhealthy.  It  was  at  one  time  the  seat  of  the  supreme  court 
of  all  the  Spanish  colonies  in  America. 

One  of  the  most  attractive  cities  of  Cuba  is  Trinidad,  which  lies  near 
the  south  coast,  three  miles  by  rail  from  the  port  of  Casildas.  It  is 
beautifully  situated  on  high  land  overlooking  the  sea,  and  on  account  of 
its  mild  and  very  equable  climate  it  is  a  favorite  resort  for  tourists  and 
invalids. 

Nuevitas,  Sancti  Espiritu,  Baracoa  and  Cienfuegos  are  all  centers 
of  population  with  many  natural  advantages,  and  with  a  just  form  of 
government,  and  the  advent  of  American  enterprise  and  capital,  they 
might  become  prosperous,  attractive,  and  of  great  commerical  import- 
ance. 


CHAPTER  XI. 
MUTTERINGS  OF  INSURRECTION. 

Blavery  in  Cuba — Horrible  Tortures  Inflicted — The  Conspiracy  of  Lopez — 
The  United  States  Interferes — Lopez  Captured  and  Executed — Seizure 
of  American  Ships — Our  Government  Demands  and  Secures  Indemnity 
From  Spain — Enormous  Salaries  of  Cuban  Officials — Oppressive  Taxa- 
tion. 

Slavery  was  a  demoralizing  influence  to  Cuba  as  it  has  been  to 
every  other  country  in  which  the  system  has  existed,  and  to  its  pres- 
ence was  traced  one  of  the  most  sensational  episodes  in  all  the  sensa- 
tional history  of  the  unhappy  island.  It  is  impossible  to  know  to  what 
extent  the  suspected  insurrection  of  sla,ves  on  the  sugar  plantations 
about  Matanzas  was  an  actual  threat.  So  horrible  were  the  charges 
made  by  the  accusers  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  believe  them.  At 
any  rate,  such  an  insurrection  was  anticipated,  and  the  authorities 
took  measures  to  crush  it  out,  more  severe  than  any  such  govern- 
mental movement  has  been  since  the  days  of  the  Spanish  Inquisition 
itself.  It  was  impossible  to  obtain  witnesses,  by  ordinary  methods,  so 
the  most  shocking  forms  of  torture  were  employed.  Those  who  refused 
to  confess  whatever  charges  happened  to  be  brought  against  them 
were  tortured  till  they  did  confess,  and  then  probably  executed  for 
the  crimes  which  they  admitted  under  such  circumstances.  By  such 
"judicial"  processes,  1,346  persons  were  convicted,  of  whom  seventy- 
eight  were  shot  and  the  others  punished  less  severely  in  various  ways. 
Hundreds  of  others  died  from  the  tortures  to  which  they  were  sub- 
jected, or  in  the  foul  prisons  in  which  they  were  confined,  and  of  these 
we  have  no  record.  Of  those  convicted  and  punished  under  the  alleged 
forms  of  law,  fourteen  were  white,  1,242  were  free  negroes,  and  fifty- 
nine  were  slaves.  The  negroes  of  Cuba  have  never  forgotten  the  bar- 
barities to  which  their  parents  were  subjected  in  that  trying  year. 

The  most  notable  outbreak  of  Cuban  insurrectionary  forces  prior 
to  that  of  the  Ten  Years'  war,  which  began  in  1868,  was  that  known 
as  the  conspiracy  of  Lopez. 

151 


152  MUTTERINGS   OF  INSURRECTION. 

As  early  as  May,  1847,  Narcisso  Lopez  and  a  number  of  his  asso- 
ciates who  had  planned  an  insurrection  in  the  central  part  of  the 
island,  were  pursued  to  the  United  States  by  Spanish  agents,  who  had 
kept  track  of  their  conspiracy.  The  Lone  Star  Society  was  in  close 
sympathy  with  these  refugees,  and  to  a  certain  extent  the  two  were 
co-existent.  Lopez,  in  1849,  organized  a  military  expedition  to  invade 
Cuba.  By  the  exertions  of  the  officers  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment the  sailing  of  the  expedition  was  prevented.  Notwithstanding 
the  activity  of  the  government,  however,  Lopez,  in  the  following  year, 
got  together  a  force  of  600  men  outside  of  the  United  States,  shipped 
arms  and  ammunition  to  them  from  this  country,  and  on  May  19, 
1850,  made  a  landing  at  Cardenas. 

The  United  States  authorities  had  put  the  Spanish  government  in 
Cuba  on  the  alert  for  this  expedition.  President  Taylor  had  issued  a 
proclamation  warning  all  citizens  of  the  United  States  not  to  take 
part  in  such  an  expedition  or  to  assist  it  in  any  way.  The  expedition 
was  driven  out  to  sea  from  Cardenas  a  few  days  after  it  landed,  sailed 
for  Key  West,  and  there  disbanded.  Meantime  there  were  a  number 
of  uprisings  in  the  island  between  groups  of  unhappy  natives  who  had 
not  the  wisdom  to  co-operate  in  the  effort  to  resist  the  oppressive  hand 
of  the  Spaniards. 

In  August  of  1851,  Lopez  eluded  the  United  States  authorities  at 
the  port  of  New  Orleans,  and  sailed  out  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  with 
an  expedition  450  strong.  His  lieutenant  on  this  expedition  was  a 
Colonel  Crittenden,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Kentucky.  They  landed 
near  Bahia  Honda,  about  thirty  miles  west  of  Havana,  and  found  the 
government  forces  waiting  for  them.  Colonel  Crittenden,  with  a  sub- 
division of  150  men,  was  compelled  to  surrender,  and  the  rest  were 
scattered.  Lopez,  with  fifty  others,  was  captured,  taken  to  Havana, 
and  there  executed. 

The  circumstances  attending  the  Lopez  failure,  and  several  Span- 
ish outrages  against  American  citizens  and  vessels,  aroused  deep  feel- 
ing in  the  United  States,  and  the  sentiment  was  growing  rapidly  that 
it  was  a  national  duty  to  our  own  peace,  to  do  something  that  would 
make  the  troublesome  neighbor  a  pleasant  one.  It  was  fifty  years 
before  action  was  taken,  but,  once  begun,  it  was  well  done. 

It  wras  in  1848,  prior  to  the  Lopez  invasion,  that  President  Polk 
made  the  first  approaches  to  the  Spanish  government  with  a  sugges- 
tion to  purchase  the  island  for  |100,000,000,  but  was  refused  with 


MUTTEKINGS  OF  INSURRECTION.  153 

scant  consideration.  A  few  years  later  came  the  succession  of  attacks 
on  American  merchant  vessels  by  Spanish  ships  of  war,  on  the  pre- 
text that  the  intercepted  craft  were  in  filibuster  service.  Some  of 
these  were  fired  on,  and  the  American  mail  bags  opened,  the  steam- 
ships Falcon  and  Crescent  City  being  in  this  list.  The  most  flagrant 
case  was  that  of  the  Black  Warrior,  a  large  steamer  in  coasting  trade 
between  New  York  and  Mobile.  In  February,  1850,  while  in  the  har- 
bor of  Havana,  she  was  stopped,  her  cargo  confiscated,  and  a  fine  of 
twice  its  value  declared.  Her  captain  hauled  down  the  colors,  and 
taking  them  with  him,  left  the  vessel  as  a  Spanish  capture.  After  five 
years  of  "diplomacy,"  Spain  paid  an  indemnity  of  $300,000  for  the  out- 
rage. 

It  was  in  1852  that  the  governments  of  Great  Britain  and  France 
tried  to  draw  the  United  States  into  an  agreement  on  the  question  of 
Cuba,  which  was  happily  refused  on  genuinely  American  grounds.  It 
was  suggested  that  all  the  parties  should  be  bound  not  to  acquire 
Cuba  themselves,  nor  to  permit  any  other  power  to  do  so.  Our  gov- 
ernment gave  the  proposal  respectful  consideration,  but  declined  to 
enter  into  any  such  arrangement,  on  the  ground  that  we  prefer  to 
avoid  entangling  foreign  alliances,  that  it  would  be  unwise,  if  not 
unconstitutional,  to  tie  our  hands  for  the  future  regardless  of  what 
might  happen,  and  that  on  geographical  grounds,  while  England  and 
France  were  making  very  slight  concessions,  we  were  asked  to  make 
a  very  important  one. 

The  United  States  came  as  near  to  the  purchase  of  Cuba  in  1854 
as  it  ever  was,  but  Spain  gave  the  plan  little  encouragement.  Three 
'American  ministers  to  European  countries,  Messrs.  Buchanan,  Mason 
and  Soule,  met  at  Ostend  and  formulated  a  plan  for  the  purchase,  sign- 
ing and  issuing  what  came  to  be  known  as  the  Ostend  manifesto. 
They  recommended  the  purchase  of  the  island  for  $120,000,000,  and 
that  in  no  event  should  it  be  allowed  to  come  under  the  power  of  any 
other  European  government  than  the  one  by  which  it  was  held.  At 
this  time,  and  afterward,  while  filibustering  expeditions  were  fre- 
quent and  disorder  constantly  threatening  in  Cuba,  the  subject  of  the 
acquisition  of  Cuba  was  discussed  in  Congress,  but  no  headway  was 
made  in  the  matter.  At  last,  conditions  in  the  island  became  intol- 
erable to  the  patriots  there,  and  the  Ten  Years'  war  began. 

It  is  necessary  at  this  point  to  relate  some  of  the  causes  of  the  fre- 
quent disorders  and  uprisings  in  the  islnnd  of  Cuba.  Some  of  the 


154  MUTTERINGS  OF  INSURRECTION. 

features  of  Spanish,  misgovernment  in  the  colony  have  been  named, 
but  the  catalogue  is  far  from  complete. 

The  most  judicial  writers,  however  bitterly  they  condemn  Spain, 
admit  that  that  peninsular  kingdom  has  itself  suffered  and  that  the 
people  have  suffered  almost  beyond  endurance  themselves.  Cuba  is 
not  the  only  land  with  which  we  may  share  a  little  of  our  sympathy. 
But  sympathy  for  Spain  must  come  from  other  things  than  oppression 
from  without.  Her  oppression  is  within  her  own  borders,  and  her 
authorities  have  tried  to  shift  the  burden  of  it  to  the  colonists  across 
the  sea.  The  debt  of  Spain  has  reached  enormous  proportions,  and 
having  fallen  from  her  high  estate  as  a  commercial  nation,  it  has 
become  impossible  for  the  great  interest  charges  on  her  floating  debt 
to  be  paid  by  ordinary  and  correct  methods.  Says  one  writer:  "To 
pay  the  interest  necessitates  the  most  grinding  oppression.  The  mov- 
ing impulse  is  not  malice,  but  the  greed  of  the  famishing;  and 
oppressor  and  oppressed  alike  are  the  objects  for  sympathy." 

The  annual  revenue  raised  in  the  island  of  Cuba  had  reached 
nearly  $26,000,000  by  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Ten  Years'  war, 
and  preparations  were  in  progress  for  largely  increasing  the  exac- 
tions. The  large  revenue  raised  was  expended  in  ways  to  irritate  the 
Cubans  or  any  one  else  who  had  to  help  pay  it.  The  annual  salary  of 
the  captain  general  was  $50,000,  when  the  president  of  the  United 
States  was  getting  only  $25,000  a  year.  Each  provincial  governor  in 
Cuba  got  a  salary  of  $12,000,  while  the  prime  minister  of  Spain 
received  only  half  that. 

The  bishop  of  Havana  and  the  archbishop  of  Santiago  de  Cuba 
each  received  a  salary  of  $18,000.  All  offices,  civil,  military  and  eccle- 
siastical, were  productive  of  rich  perquisites,  except  in  those  cases 
where  stealing  was  simpler.  Wholesale  corruption  in  the  custom 
houses  was  generally  known  and  admitted  by  all.  The  thefts  in  the 
custom  houses  in  Havana  was  estimated  at  forty  per  cent,  and  in 
Santiago  at  seventy  per  cent  of  the  entire  revenue.  All  offices  except 
the  very  lowest,  in  church  and  state  alike,  were  filled  by  men  sent 
from  Spain,  with  the  frank  understanding  that  as  soon  as  he  could, 
each  new  appointee  could  garner  a  fortune  by  fair  means  and  foul 
combined,  he  should  retire  and  let  another  be  sent  over  to  have  a  turn 
at  the  plunder.  The  result  of  this  was  that  strangers  were  always  in 
authority,  men  with  no  sympathy  for  local  need,  and  no  local  reputa- 


MUTTEBINGS  OP  INSURRECTION.  155 

tion  to  sustain.  It  is  perfectly  obvious  what  sort  of  a  public  service 
such  conditions  would  create. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  the  result  was  the  growth  of  two 
parties,  one  the  native-born  Cubans,  and  called  the  insulares,  the  other 
of  those  from  Spain,  and  their  adherents,  known  as  the  peninsulares. 
The  line  between  them  has  been  sharply  drawn  for  many  years,  and 
they  are  on  opposite  sides  of  everything.  It  is  from  the  ranks  of  the 
continentals  that  the  volunteer  corps  of  Cuba  has  been  drawn,  one  of 
the  most  aggravating  and  threatening  of  all  influences  against  peace 
in  Cuba. 

Spain  imposed  differential  duties  in  such  a  way  as  to  virtually 
monopolize  the  trade  of  the  island.  At  the  same  time  the  prices  of  all 
imports  to  Cuba  were  forced  to  an  unnatural  figure,  to  the  great  dis- 
tress of  the  people.  Petty  oppression  in  postage  and  in  baptismal 
fees  multiplied,  so  that  instead  of  petty  it  became  great.  The  increase 
in  taxation,  of  Cuba  for  use  in  Spain  in  two  years  prior  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  Ten  Years'  war  was  more  than  $14,000,000,  and  the  next  year 
it  was  proposed  to  increase  it  still  more.  The  cities  were  hopelessly 
in  debt  and  unable  to  make  the  most  ordinary  and  most  necessary 
public  improvements.  What  few  schools  there  had  been  were  nearly 
all  closed.  Lacking  insane  asylums,  the  unfortunate  of  that  class 
were  kept  in  the  jails.  The  people  saw  a  country  separated  from  them 
but  by  a  narrow  stretch  of  water,  where  freedom  reigned.  They  saw 
that  they  were  being  heavily  oppressed  with  taxation  for  the  benefit 
of  the  people  of  Spain,  and  that,  in  addition,  they  were  being  robbed 
mercilessly  for  the  benefit  of  the  authorities  who  were  placed  over 
them  temporarily.  If  the  money  collected  from  them  had  been 
expended  for  their  benefit  in  the  island,  or  had  been  expended  hon- 
estly, the  case  might  have  been  different.  As  it  was,  however,  an 
intolerable  condition  had  been  endured  too  long,  and  they  rose  against 
it  for  the  struggle  known  to  history  as  the  Ten  Years'  war. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
OUTBREAK  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR 

Cuba  Again  Stirred  to  Turmoil — The  Taxes  of  the  Island  Increased — A 
Declaration  of  Independence — Civil  Government  Organized — Meeting 
of  the  Legislature,  and  Election  of  Officers — The  Edict  of  a  Tyrant. 

Before  the  outbreak  of  the  Ten  Years'  War,  the  reform  party  in 
Cuba,  which  included  all  the  most  enlightened,  wealthy  and  influential 
citizens  of  the  island,  had.  exhausted  all  the  resources  at  their  com- 
mand to  induce  Spain  to  establish  a  more  just  and  equitable  adminis- 
tration of  affairs,  but  all  to  no  avail. 

It  was  proposed  that  Cuba  receive  an  autonomist  constitution.  The 
abolition  of  the  supreme  power  of  the  Captain  General,  the  freedom  of 
the  press,  the  right  of  petition,  the  regulation  of  the  chief  frauds  by 
which  elections  were  so  arranged  that  no  Cuban  could  hold  govern- 
ment osffice,  the  right  of  assembly,  representation  in  the  Cortes,  and 
complete  local  self-government  were  among  the  reforms  asked  for. 
The  plans  were  considered  in  Spain  and  were  reconsidered,  and  con- 
sidered again,  and  that  was  about  all  that  ever  came  of  them,  except 
that  in  June,  1868,  Captain  General  Lersundi  was  permitted  to  raise 
the  direct  taxes  on  the  island  ten  per  cent. 

Finally,  driven  to  a  point  where  they  could  endure  it  no  longer, 
they  made  the  start,  for  freedom,  and  began  to  fight  for  it,  as  brave 
men  should  do  and  have  done  through  the  history  of  the  world. 

Several  months  before  the  revolution  in  Spain  and  the  abdication 
of  Isabella,  measures  had  been  taken  to  prepare  for  the  effort  to 
achieve  independence.  At  last  matters  progressed  so  rapidly  in  the 
mother  country  that  the  Cubans  dared  not  wait  for  the  completion  of 
their  plans,  but  on  October  10,  1868,  began  the  hostilities.  On  that 
day,  Carlos  M.  de  Cespedes,  a  lawyer  of  Bayamo,  took  the  initiative 
with  128  poorly  armed  men,  and  issued  a  declaration  of  independence 
at  Yara.  This  declaration  justified  itself  by  referring  in  the  following 
terms  to  the  grievances  that  have  been  outlined: 

"In  arming  ourselves  against  the  tyrannical  government  of  Spain, 
we  must,  according  to  precedent  in  all  civilized  countries,  proclaim 

156 


OUTBREAK  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR.  157 

before  the  world  the  cause  that  impels  us  to  take  this  step,  which, 
though  likely  to  entail  considerable  disturbances  upon  the  present, 

will  ensure  the  happiness  of  the  future And  as  Spain 

has  many  a  time  promised  us  Cubans  to  respect  our  rights,  without 
having  fulfilled  her  promises;  and  she  continues  to  tax  us  heavily,  and 
by  so  doing  is  likely  to  destroy  our  wealth ;  as  we  are  in  danger  of  los- 
ing our  property,  our  lives  and  our  honor  under  Spanish  dominion,"  etc. 

Within  a  few  weeks  Cespedes  was  at  the  head  of  15,000  men,  ill- 
prepared  for  war,  so  far  as  arms  and  equipment  were  concerned,  but 
well  provided  with  resolution,  bravery  and  a  just  cause.  A  civil  gov- 
ernment was  organized,  and  a  constitution  drawn  up,  providing  for  an 
elective  president  and  vice-president,  a  cabinet,  and  a  single  legislative 
chamber.  It  also  declared  the  immediate  abolition  of  slavery.  This 
constitution  was  promulgated  at  Guaimaro  in  Central  Cuba,  on  the 
10th  of  April,  1869.  The  legislature  met  soon  after,  and  electee!.  Ces- 
pedes president,  and  Francisco  M.  Aguilero  vice-president. 

This  insurrection  soon  assumed  formidable  dimensions,  and  the 
following  edict  was  issued  by  General  Balmaceda: 

Inhabitants  of  the  country!  The  reinforcement  of  troops  that  I  have 
been  waiting  for  have  arrived.  With  them  I  shall  give  protection  to  the 
good,  and  punish  promptly  those  that  still  remain  in  rebellion  against  the 
government  of  the  metropolis. 

You  know  that  I  have  pardoned  those  who  have  fought  us  with  arms; 
that  your  wives,  mothers  and  sisters  have  found  in  me  the  unexpected  pro- 
tection that  you  have  refused  them.  You  know,  also,  that  many  of  those  we 
have  pardoned  have  turned  against  us  again.  Before  such  ingratitude,  such 
villainy,  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  be  the  man  I  have  been;  there  is  no 
longer  a  place  for  a  falsified  neutrality;  he  that  is  not  for  me  is  against  me; 
and  that  my  soldiers  may  know  how  to  distinguish,  you  hear  the  order  they 
carry. 

1st.  Every  man,  from  the  age  of  fifteen  years  upward,  found  away  from 
his  habitation  (finca),  and  who  does  not  prove  a  justified  motive  therefor, 
will  be  shot. 

2nd.     Every  habitation  unoccupied  will  be  burned  by  the  troops. 

3rd.  Every  habitation  from  which  does  not  float  a  white  flag,  as  a  sig- 
nal that  its  occupants  desire  peace,  will  be  reduced  to  ashes. 

Women  that  are  not  living  in  their  own  homes,  or  at  the  houses  of  their 
relatives,  will  collect  in  the  town  of  Jiguani,  or  Bayamo,  where  maintenance 
will  be  provided.  Those  who  do  not  present  themselves  will  be  conducted 
forciblv. 


158  OUTBREAK  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR. 

The  foregoing  determinations  will  commence  to  take  effect  on  the  14th 
of  the  present  month.  EL  CONDE  DE  BALMAGEDA. 

Bayamo,  April  4, 1869. 

Even  Wej'ler,  the  "Butcher,"  has  never  succeeded  in  concocting  a 
manifesto  that  surpassed  this  in  malicious  excuses  for  the  ancient 
Spanish  amusements  of  pillage,  incendiarism  and  murder. 

The  Cause  a  Just  One. 

It  is  now  conceded  by  high  Spanish  authorities  that  the  insurgents 
had  just  grounds  for  this  revolt,  and  Senor  Dupuy  de  Lome,  formerly 
the  Spanish  minister  to  the  United  States,  admits  in  a  letter  to  the 
New  York  Herald  that  a  very  large  majority  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
the  island  were  in  sympathy  witli  the  struggle  for  liberty. 

The  new  government  received  the  moral  support  of  nearly  all  of  the 
South  American  republics,  but  as  many  of  them  were  troubled  with 
internal  dissensions,  and  uncertain  of  their  own  security,  they  were 
not  in  a  condition  to  furnish  assistance  of  a  more  practical  nature,  and 
the  revolutionists  were  left  to  work  out  their  own  salvation. 

In  an  exhaustive  review  of  the  trouble  between  Spain  and  her 
Cuban  possessions,  published  in  1873,  the  Edinburg  Review  said: 

"It  is  well  known  that  Spain  governs  the  island  of  Cuba  with  an 
iron  and  bloodstained  hand.  The  former  holds  the  latter  deprived  oi 
civil,  political  and  religious  liberty.  Hence  the  unfortunate  Cubans 
being  illegally  prosecuted  and  sent  into  exile,  or  executed  by  military 
commissions  in  time  of  peace;  hence  their  being  kept  from  public 
meeting,  and  forbidden  to  speak  or  write  on  affairs  of  state;  hence 
their  remonstrances  against  the  evils  that  afflict  them  being  looked 
upon  as  the  proceedings  of  rebels,  from  the  fact  that  they  are  bound  to 
keep  silence  and  obey;  hence  the  never-ending  plague  of  hungry 
officials  from  Spain  to  devour  the  product  of  their  industry  and  labor; 
hence  their  exclusion  from  public  stations,  and  want  of  opportunity  to 
fit  themselves  for  the  art  of  government;  hence  the  restrictions  to 
which  public  instruction  with  them  is  subjected,  in  order  to  keep  them 
so  ignorant  as  not  to  be  able  to  know  and  enforce  their  rights  in  any 
shape  or  form  whatever;  hence  the  navy  and  the  standing  army, 
Avhich  are  kept  in  their  country  at  an  enormous  expenditure  from  their 
own  wealth,  to  make  them  bend  their  knees  and  submit  their  necks  to 
the  iron  yoke  that  disgraces  them;  hence  the  grinding  taxation  under 
which  they  labor,  and  which  would  make  them  all  perish  in  misery  but 
for  the  marvelous  fertility  of  their  soil." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  VIRGINIUS  OFFICERS  AND  CREW. 

Bxertement  in  the  United  States  over  a  Spanish  Outrage  of  Twenty-five  Years 
Ago — The  Virginius  a  Blockade  Runner — Severity  of  the  Spanish  Court 
Martial — Insolence  to  the  American  Consul — Indignation  in  the  United 
States — Negotiations  Between  Washington  and  Madrid — Settlement  an 
Unsatisfactory  One  to  Most  People — No  Just  Retribution  Ever  Made. 

It  was  less  than  twenty-five  years  before  the  destruction  of  the 
Maine,  that  another  vessel  whose  crew  met  its  fate  in  a  Spanish  port  in 
Cuba  was  the  subject  of  as  intense  public  interest  in  the  United  States 
as  that  created  by  the  catastrophe  of  1898.  The  hopeful  progress  of  the 
Cuban  revolution  of  1868-78  had  stimulated  their  friends  in  the  United 
States  to  aid  the  insurgents  in  every  way  possible,  by  money,  men  and 
the  munitions  of  war.  Filibustering  was  constant  and.  scarcely  discour- 
aged by  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  spite  of  the  protest  of  Spain. 
It  was  as  a  result  of  this  condition  that  the  terrible  affair  of  the  Virgin- 
ius occurred. 

The  case  of  the  Virginius  had  in  it  elements  of  tragedy  that  made  it 
more  spectacular  and  dramatic  than  that  of  the  Maine,  aCnd  American 
spirit  was  worked  to  an  even  higher  tension  than  it  is  now,  before  diplo- 
macy and  caution  averted  a  war  between  the  United  States  and  Spain. 
In  the  case  of  the  Virginius  the  facts  of  Spanish  aggression  were  in  no 
way  denied,  but,  on  the  contrary,  avowed  for  a  time  with  pride,  until 
the  authorities  at  Madrid  subdued  their  people,  who  were  making  a  set- 
tlement more  difficult  by  their  talk.  The  only  controversy  was  as  to 
whether  or  not  Spam's  action  in  the  matter  was  within  its  rights.  But 
the  settlement,  however  it  might  have  left  the  rights  of  the  vessel  still 
unsolved,  was  a  rebuke  to  Spain,  and  for  its  execution  of  American  citi- 
zens with  scarcely  a  formality  of  law  Spain  has  never  been  forgiven  by 
those  who  remember  it,  whatever  diplomacy  decided  as  to  being  satis- 
fied. 

The  Virginius  was  originally  an  English-built  sidewheel  steamer 
called  the  Virgin,  and  during  the  war  between  the  States  was  one  of  the 
most  famous  of  blockade  runners  until  captured  by  a  vessel  of  the 

159 


160  THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  VIKGINIUS. 

United  States.  In  1870  she  was  sold  in  Washington  to  an  agent  of  the 
Cuban  Junta  at  New  York,  her  name  was  changed  to  Virginius,  and  she 
cleared  for  Curacoa  in  the  West  Indies.  From  that  time  till  her  un- 
happy fate  she  was  never  in  United  States  waters.  At  Aspinwall  and 
in  the  ports  of  Venezuela  and  the  West  Indies  she  was  known  for  three 
years  as  the  most  daring  and  the  most  successful  of  filibusters,  making 
repeated  landings  on  the  Cuban  coast  with  supplies  of  arms,  ammuni- 
tion, food  and  clothes  for  the  insurgents  who  were  then  fighting  the  Ten- 
Years'  war.  In  all  her  filibustering  it  was  claimed,  however,  that  the 
Virginius  never  lost  her  character  as  an  American  ship,  though  the 
Cuban  flag  was  kept  at  the  masthead  whenever  that  practice  served  any 
good  purpose. 

The  vessel  sailed  on  the  fatal  voyage  from  Kingston,  Jamaica,  Octo- 
ber 23, 1873,  having  cleared  at  the  United  States  consulate  as  a  United 
States  vessel  bound  for  Port  Simon,  Costa  Kica.  The  commander  was 
Captain  Joseph  Fry,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States.  The  cargo  was  made 
up  of  munitions  of  war  for  the  Cuban  insurgents,  and  the  crew  was  part 
of  Cuban  and  part  of  American  citizens.  There  were  also  on  board  a, 
number  of  enlisted  men  on  their  way  to  join  the  insurgent  army. 

It  was  not  until  October  31  that  the  Virginius  approached  the  coast 
of  Cuba  to  make  her  landing,  and  was  intercepted  by  the  Spanish  gun' 
boat  Tornado.  The  Tornado  had  been  built  by  the  same  English  firm 
that  constructed  the  Virginius,  also  for  blockade  running,  but  in  the 
race  that  followed  the  Virginius  was  unable  to  equal  the  speed  of  her 
Spanish  pursuer.  The  chase  lasted  eight  hours.  Finally,  at  10  o'clock 
at  night,  the  Virginius  was  stopped  and  surrendered  in  response  to  the 
cannon  shots  of  the  Tornado,  which  had  come  in  range.  The  captain 
protested  that  his  papers  were  regular  and  that  the  Virginius  was  "an 
American  ship,  carrying  American  colors  and  papers,  with  an  American 
captain  and  an  American  crew."  In  response  he  was  told  that  he  was<  a 
pirate,  his  flag  was  lowered  and  trampled  upon,  and  the  Spanish  flag 
wTas  hoisted  in  its  place. 

During  the  chase  after  the  Virginius,  the  passengers  and  crew  of 
the  fated  vessel  were  in  a  state  of  panic.  The  cargo,  which  was  made 
up  of  war  material,  was  thrown  overboard,  and  all  persons  on  the  vessel 
emptied  their  trunks  of  whatever  might  be  considered  suspicious. 
Almost  from  the  instant  of  the  capture  the  fate  of  the  unfortunate  men 
was  assured,  and  they  soon  realized  the  extent  of  the  danger  that  threat- 
ened them. 


THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  ViRGINIL'S.  161 

Verdict  of  the  Spanish  Court-Martial. 

When  the  Tornado  and  the  Virginius  reached  Santiago  de  Cuba  the 
next  day  the  155  men  captured  were  placed  in  close  confinement  and  a 
court-martial  was  convened  at  once.  The  various  courts-martial  con- 
demned most  if  not  all  of  the  prisoners  to  death,  this  summary  proceed- 
ing being,  as  was  alleged,  in  accordance  with  Spanish  laws,  so  far  at 
least  as  the  character  of  the  court  and  the  nature  of  the  judicial  forms 
were  concerned.  The  first  executions  were  on  the  morning  of  November 
4,  when  four  men  were  shot,  one  of  them  being  Brigadier  Washington 
Ryan,  who  claimed  British  citizenship,  as  a  Canadian,  although  he  had 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  late  war.  The  victims  were  shot  in 
the  back,  and  their  bodies  were  afterward  beheaded,  the  heads  dis- 
played on  spikes  and  the  trunks  trampled  by  horses.  George  W.  Sher- 
man, the  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Herald,  tried  to  sketch  the 
scene  and  was  imprisoned  for  four  days  for  his  attempt.  A  guard  kept 
the  American  consul  in  his  house,  so  he  could  not  appear  to  protest. 

As  the  Virginius  had  displayed  the  American  colors  and  was  char- 
tered and  cleared  as  an  American  vessel,  she  had  a  prima  facie  claim  to 
protection  as  such,  until  her  right  should  be  disproved.  Hence  Mr.  E.  G. 
Schmitt,  the  American  vice-consul  at  Santiago,  was  prompt  and  urgent 
in  demanding  access  to  the  prisoners,  with  a  view  to  protecting  the 
rights  of  the  vessel  and  any  on  board  who  might  be  American  citizens. 
He  was  treated  with  great  discourtesy  by  the  provincial  governor,  who 
told  him  in  effect  that  it  was  none  of  his  business,  and  persisted  in  de- 
claring that  they  were  all  pirates  and  would  be  dealt  with  as  such.  Mr. 
Schmitt  was  even  refused  the  use  of  the  submarine  cable  to  consult 
with  the  consul  at  Kingston,  Jamaica.  He  would  thus  have  been  left 
entirely  helpless  but  for  the  friendly  aid  of  the  British  and  French  con- 
suls. 

On  the  8th  of  November  twelve  more  men  were  executed,  and  on  the 
13th  thirty-seven  were  executed,  this  last  batch  including  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  Virginius  and  most  of  the  American  citizens.  At  4 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  condemned  men  were  marched  to  the  place 
of  execution,  passing  and  saluting  the  American  consulate,  where  the 
flag  was  not  flying  from  its  staff.. 

Captain  Fry  was  shot  first,  and  was  the  only  man,  though  the 
soldiers  stood  but  ten  feet  away,  who  fell  dead  at  the  first  volley.  The 
majority  of  the  poor  fellows,  as  the  firing  continued,  were  wounded,  and 


162  THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  VLBGLN1US. 

killed  as  they  lay  on  the  ground  by  the  usual  Spanish  fashion  of  firing: 
rifles  in  the  mouths  of  those  who  were  disabled.  The  second  engineer 
of  the  Virginius  was  among  those  executed.  He  had  made  a  declaration 
to  the  Spanish  that  he  had  tampered  with  the  engines  and  cut  down  the 
speed  of  the  vessel  so  that  she  could  be  captured,  and  was  marched  witk 
the  rest  to  prevent  his  comrades  from  knowing  that  he  was  to  be  spared. 
He  was  shot  by  mistake  while  making  frantic  protests  and  explanations, 
but,  as  he  was  a  traitor  in  one  wa}^  or  the  other,  his  death  was  the  only 


one  of  all  that  was  never  regretted. 

Protests  Were  Unheeded. 

During  all  this  time  the  consuls  at  Santiago  were  not  idle,  but  they 
were  helpless.  E.  G.  Schmitt,  the  American  vice-consul,  and  Theodore 
Brooks,  the  British  vice-consul,  made  all  sorts  of  protests  that  were  un- 
availing. Schmitt  was  not  permitted  to  see  the  prisoners  before  or  after 
the  court-martial,  until  the  very  end,  when  he  reached  Captain  Fry  and 
signed  his  protest  with  him.  He  was  not  permitted  the  use  of  the  tele- 
graph in  order  to  communicate  with  the  government  at  Washington  by 
way  of  Kingston,  Jamaica. 

He  wrote  repeated  notes  to  Gen.  Burriel,  the  Spanish  commander  at 
Santiago,  getting  no  answer  to  them,  until  at  last  an  answer  came  that 
was  more  irritating  than  silence.  Burriel  told  him  that  he  should  have 
known  that  the  previous  day  was  a  day  of  religious  festival,  during 
which  he  and  all  his  officers  were  engaged  in  "meditation  of  the  divine 
mysteries,"  and  could  not  consider  temporal  affairs.  He  also  informed 
the  consul  that  he  might  be  expelled  from  the  island  for  trying  to  em- 
broil the  United  States  and  Spain  in  difficulties  if  he  were  not  careful. 

Then  came  the  only  bright  spot  in  the  whole  affair.  News  of  what 
was  going  on  reached  Jamaica,  and  the  British  gunboat  Niobe,  Captain 
Sir  Larnbton  Lorraine,  left  for  the  scene  of  massacre,  sailing  in  such  a 
hurry  that  he  left  some  of  the  crew  ashore.  The  Captain  landed  at  San- 
tiago before  his  ship  was  anchored,  and  demanded  that  the  slaughter  be 
stopped  instantly.  He  declared  that  he  represented  the  United  States 
as  well  as,  England,  and  that  he  would  bombard  the  city  if  there  wa» 
another  American  citizen  executed.  Ninety-three  men  were  under  sen- 
tence of  death,  many  of  whom  were  Americans,  but  the  sentences  were 
immediately  suspended  and  the  lives  were  saved.  The  Spanish  after- 
ward asserted  that  the  executions  were  stopped  because  of  orders  re- 
ceived from  Madrid. 


THE  MABSACKE  OF  THE   VIRGINIU8.  1G3 

The  next  time  Sir  Lambton  Lorraine  was  in  New  York  he  was 
offered  a  reception,  which  he  declined.  He  was  presented,  however,  with 
a  silver  brick,  on  which  were  engraved  the  words:  "Blood  is  thicker 
than  water."  A  resolution  of  thanks  to  him  was  laid  on  the  table  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  never  passed. 

American  Demands  for  Vengeance. 

When  the  news  of  all  this  reached  the  United  States,  public  indigna- 
tion rose  rapidly.  Mass-meetings  were  held  demanding  vengeance  on 
Spain.  President  Grant  sent  special  messages  to  Congress,  and  the  state 
department  began  diplomatic  negotiations.  Hamilton  Fish,  secretary 
of  state,  declared  that  the  Virginius,  having  been  registered  as  an 
American  vessel  carrying  official  documents  regular  upon  their  face  and' 
bearing  the  United  States  flag,  was  entirely  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of 
any  other  power  on  the  high  seas  in  the  time  of  peace;  that  if  she  had 
secured  fraudulent  entry  or  committed  any  other  fraud  against  the  laws 
of  the  United  States  it  was  for  her  to  be  turned  over  to  the  United  States 
courts  for  punishment,  and  not  for  her  to  be  captured  and  punished  by 
some  other  power. 

The  Spanish  minister  of  foreign  affairs  at  that  time  was  Admiral 
Polo  dfc  Bernabe,  father  of  the  new  Spanish  minister  who  succeeded 
Dupuy  de  Lome.  He  wanted  to  submit  the  matter  to  arbitration,  and 
Secretary  Fish  replied  to  him  that  the  "United  States  was  ready  to  refer 
to  arbitration  all  questions  properly  subjects  for  reference,  but  that  the 
question  of  an  indignity  to  the  flag  of  the  nation  and  the  capture  in  time 
of  peace  on  the  high  sea,s  of  a  vessel  bearing  that,  flag  and  having  also 
the  register  and  papers  of  an  American  ship,  is  not  deemed  to  be  one 
referable  to  other  powers  to  determine.  A  nation  must  be  the  judge 
and  custodian  of  its  own  honor." 

Most  of  the  men  were  executed  after  protests  to  Madrid  began  to  b** 
made*  Madrid  mobs  made  a  demonstration  against  the  American  min- 
ister, General  Sickles.  November  4,  Secretary  Fish  cabled  Sickles:  "In 
case  of  refusal  of  satisfactory  reparation  within  twelve  days  from  this 
date  close  your  legation  and  leave  Madrid."  Ten  days  later,  when  the 
executions  were  over,  he  telegraphed:  "If  Spain  cannot  redress  these 
outrages,  the  United  States  will."  Ten  days  after  that  he  wired :  "If  no 
settlement  is  reached  by  the  close  of  to-morrow,  leave."  Next  day  Spain 
became  tractable  and  war  was  averted. 


164  THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  VIRGINIUS 

By  his  conduct  in  Madrid  at  that  time  General  Sickles  made  many 
friends  of  those  Americans  who  wanted  to  see  energetic  action,  and 
many  enemies  among  those  who  wanted  peace  at  any  price.  It  was 
alleged  afterward  that  the  latter  influence  became  dominant,  and  that 
his  recall  from  that  post  was  the  result  of  their  work  to  punish  him  for 
his  energy  that  was  not  always  diplomatic  in  its  forms. 

Settlement  of  the  Trouble. 

The  terms  of  settlement  of  the  trouble  were  that  the  Virginius 
should  be  surrendered  to  an  American  warship,  with  the  survivors  of 
those  who  had  been  captured  with  her,  and  that  on  December  25  the 
United  States  fla,g  should  be  saluted  by  the  Tornado.  The  surrender 
was  made  in  the  obscure  harbor  of  Bahia  Honda,  December  16,  the 
Spanish  having  taken  the  Virginius  there  to  avoid  the  humiliation  of  a 
surrender  in  Santiago  or  Havana,  where  it  should  have  been  made. 
Captain  W.  D.  Whiting,  the  chief  of  staff  of  the  North  Atlantic  Squad- 
ron, was  appointed  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  Virginius,  and  the 
gunboat  Dispatch  was  sent  to  Bahia  Honda  with  him  for  that  purpose. 
Lieut.  Adolph  Marix  was  the  flag  lieutenant  of  the  Dispatch,  the  same 
who  was  afterwards  the  judge-advocate  of  the  court  of  inquiry  on  the 
Maine  disaster.  The  Virginius  was  delivered  with  the  flag  flying,  but 
she  was  unseaworthy,  and,  struck  by  a  storm  off  Cape  Hatteras,  was 
sunk  on  her  way  to  New  York.  The  salute  to  the  flag  that  had  been  ar- 
ranged was  waived  by  the  United  States  because  the  attorney-general 
gave  an  opinion  that  the  Virginius  had  no  right  to  fly  the  American 
flag  when  she  was  captured. 

Major  Moses  P.  Handy,  afterwards  famous  as  a  journalist,  was  pres- 
ent at  the  surrender  of  the  Virginius  to  the  American  men  of  war  in 
the  harbor  of  Bahia  Honda,  and  gives  a  graphic  account  of  the  circum- 
stances attending  that  ceremony.  In  concluding  the  tale  he  says:  "The 
surrender  of  the  surviving  prisoners  of  the  massacre  took  place  in  the 
course  of  time  at  Santiago,  owing  more  to  British  insistence  than  to  our 
feeble  representation.  As  to  the  fifty-three  who  were  killed,  Spain 
never  gave  us  any  real  satisfaction.  For  a  long  time  the  Madrid  govern- 
ment unblushingly  denied  that  there  had  been  any  killing,  and  when 
forced  to  acknowledge  the  fact  they  put  us  off  with  preposterous  ex- 
cuses. 'Butcher  Borriel,'  by  whose  orders  the  outrage  was  perpetrated, 
was  considered  at  Madrid  to  have  been  justified  by  circumstances.  It 
was  pretended  that  orders  to  suspend  the  execution  of  Ryan  and  his 


THE  MASSACRE  OF  THE  VIRGINIUS.  167 

associates  were  'unfortunately'  received  too  late,  owing  to  interruption 
of  telegraph  lines  by  the  insurgents,  to  whose  broad  and  bleeding  shoul- 
ders an  attempt  was  thus  made  to  shift  the  responsibility. 

"There  was  a  nominal  repudiation  of  Borriel's  act  and  a  promise  was 
made  to  inflict  punishment  upon  'those  who  have  offended,'  but  no  pun- 
ishment was  inflicted  upon  anybody.  The  Spanish  government,  with 
characteristic  double  dealing,  resorted  to  procrastination,  prevarication 
and  trickery,  and  thus  gained  time,  until  new  issues  effaced  in  the  Amer- 
ican mind  the  memory  of  old  wrongs  unavenged.  Instead  of  being  de- 
graded, Borriel  was  promoted.  Never  to  this  day  has  there  been  any 
adequate  atonement  by  Spain,  much  less  an  apology  or  expression  of 
regret  for  the  Virginius  massacre." 

The  amount  of  money  paid  to  the  United  States  government  for  dis- 
tribution among  the  families  of  American  sufferers  b}7  this  affair  was 
$80,000.  And  that  is  the  extent  of  the  reparation  made  for  the  shocking 
crime. 

The  Virginius,  although  the  most  conspicuous,  was  not  the  only 
American  victim  of  Spanish  misgovernment  in  Cuba  during  the  Ten 
Years'  war.  In  1877  the  three  whaling  vessels,  Kising  Sun,  Ellen  Kiz- 
pah,  and  Edward  Lee,  while  pursuing  their  legitimate  business  under 
the  American  flag,  outside  of  Cuban  waters,  were  fired  upon  and  de- 
tained for  days,  with  circumstances  of  peculiar  hardship  and  brutality. 
The  United  States  government  investigated  the  outrage  with  care,  and 
demanded  of  Spain  an  indemnity  of  $19,500.  The  demand,  however,  was 
not  enforced,  and  the  sum  of  $10,000  was  accepted  as  a  compromise  set- 
tlement. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
OPERATIONS  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR. 

The  Two  Wars  Compared — The  Havana  Volunteers — The  Slaughter  at  the 
Villaneuva  Theater — The  Court  Martial  of  the  Students — A  Holiday 
in  Havana — The  Close  of  the  War — The  Treaty  of  Zanjon. 

The  reader  who  has  watched  closely  the  struggle  in  Cuba  for  the 
past  three  years  need  not  be  told  that  Spain  has  had  every  advantage 
in  men,  money,  arms  and  ammunition.  The  same  state  of  affairs  ex- 
isted during  the  Ten  Years'  War.  In  fact,  the  inequality  was  even 
greater,  for  the  Spanish  army  was  then  composed  of  experienced  sol- 
diers who  were  well  fed,  well  clothed  and  paid  regularly.  In  the  pres- 
ent conflict  many  of  them  are  boys  who  have  been  sent  from  home  to 
make  targets  for  insurgent  bullets.  They  know  comparatively  noth- 
ing of  military  tactics,  they  have  not  been  paid  for  months,  and  they 
lack  food  and  clothing.  The  equipment  of  the  insurgent  forces  in  the 
former  rebellion  was  even  more  limited  than  it  has  been  in  this  one. 
While  they  did  not  experience  serious  difficulty  in  obtaining  food,  the 
implements  of  war  in  any  quantities  were  beyond  their  reach.  But 
the  same  spirit  that  gave  courage  to  our  American  heroes  in  revolu- 
tionary times  was  in  them,  and  for  ten  years  they  struggled  bravely 
against  overwhelming  odds. 

It  is  not  possible  to  tell  in  detail  of  the  monstrous  cruelties  practiced 
by  the  Spanish  army  during  those  years  of  carnage.  Here  is  the  testi- 
mony of  one  officer: 

"We  captured  seventeen,  thirteen  of  whom  were  shot  outright;  on 
dying  they  shouted,  'Hurrah  for  Free  Cuba,  hurrah  for  independence/ 
A  mulatto  said,  'Hurrah  for  Cespedes/  On  the  following  day  we  killed 
a  Cuban  officer  and  another  man.  Among  the  thirteen  that  we  shot 
the  first  day  we  found  three  sons  and  their  father.  The  father  wit- 
nessed the  execution  of  his  sons  without  even  changing  color,  and 
when  his  turn  came  he  said  he  died  for  the  independence  of  his  coun- 
try. On  coming  back  we  brought  along  with  us  three  carts  filled  with 
women  and  children,  the  families  of  those  we  had  shot,  and  they  asked 

168 


OPERATIONS  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR.  16l> 

us  to  shoot  them,  because  they  would  rather  die  than  lire  among  Span- 
iards." 

Another  wrote: 

"Not  a  single  Cuban  will  remain  in  this  island,  because  we  shoot 
all  that  we  find  in  the  fields,  on  the  farms  and  in  every  hovel.  We  do 
not  leave  a  creature  alive  where  we  pass,  be  it  man  or  animal.  If  we 
find  cows  we  kill  them,  if  horses,  ditto,  if  hogs,  ditto,  men,  women  or 
children,  ditto.  As  to  the  houses,  we  burn  them.  So  every  one  receives 
his  due,  the  men  in  balls,  the  animals  in  bayonet  thrusts.  The  island 
will  remain  a  desert." 

In  the  cities,  outrages  equally  barbarous  were  committed. 

The  Havana  Volunteers. 

The  Havana  volunteers,  made  up  of  the  Spanish-born  residents,  in 
whose  favor  the  government  of  the  island  has  always  been  arranged, 
took  possession  of  Havana,  and  put  it  under  mob  rule.  In  May,  1870, 
they  marched  out  in  front  of  the  Villaneuva  theater  and  fired  volleys 
into  the  crowds  that  were  entering.  They  had  reason  to  believe,  some 
of  them  said,  that  the  performance  to  be  given  there  was  to  raise  funds 
for  the  insurgent  cause. 

So  powerful  was  this  organization  that  shortly  after  this  outrage 
they  placed  the  Captain-General  of  the  island  under  arrest,  and  finally 
shipped  him  to  Spain,  sending  word  to  the  home  government  that  he 
was  not  severe  enough  in  his  rule  to  suit  their  views,  and  suggesting 
that  in  case  there  were  no  Peninsulars  who  had  the  necessary  stamina 
to  govern  Cuba  according  to  their  ideas,  they  might  feel  it  advisable  to 
assume  command  themselves* 

On  another  occasion  the  dead  body  of  one  of  these  volunteers  was 
placed  in  a  public  tomb  in  Havana,  and  the  repository  was  found  to 
have  been  defaced  by  scurrilous  writing  on  the  glass  of  the  door.  For 
no  known  reason,  except  a  blood-thirsty  desire  for  vengeance  on  some- 
one, no  matter  whether  guilty  or  innocent,  it  was  claimed  that  the 
outrage  was  committed  by  some  of  the  students  of  the  university,  and 
on  complaint  of  the  volunteer  corps,  forty-three  of  these  young  meni 
were  arrested. 

They  were  arraigned  before  the  military  tribunal,  and  so  mani- 
festly unjust  was  the  accusation  that  an  officer  of  the  regular  army  of 
Spain  volunteered  to  defend  them.  There  was  absolutely  no  proof 
against  them,  and  they  were  acquitted.  But  the  volunteers  were  deter* 


170  OPERATIONS  OF  THE  TEN  YEARS'  WAR. 

mined  that  their  victims  should  not  escape,  and  taking  advantage  of 
the  fear  in  which  they  were  held,  even  by  the  Havana  officials,  they 
forced  the  Governor-General  to  issue  an  order  for  a  second  court- 
martial.  At  this  examination  they  manipulated  matters  so  that  two 
thirds  of  the  members  of  the  trial  board  were  connected  with  their 
organization,  and  a  verdict  of  guilty  was  quickly  rendered  against  all 
of  the  prisoners.  Eight  of  them  were  sentenced  to  be  shot,  and  the 
others  to  long  terms  of  imprisonment  at  hard  labor. 

The  day  of  the  execution  was  a  holiday  in  Havana.  Bands  of  music 
paraded  the  streets,  followed  by  the  volunteers,  15,000  strong,  while 
behind  them,  bound  in  chains,  and  under  military  guard,  came  the 
eight  boys  who  had  been  condemned  to  die.  Conscious  of  their  inno- 
cence of  any  crime,  they  did  not  falter,  but  marched  bravely  to  the 
place  of  execution,  where  they  faced  their  murderers  and  fell,  riddled 
fey  bullets  from  the  rifles  of  the  volunteers.  The  report  of  this  affair 
sent  a  thrill  of  horror  throughout  the  whole  of  the  civilized  world,  and 
the  perpetrators  of  the  outrage  were  severely  censured  by  the  Span- 
ish Cortes,  but  there  was  no  attempt  at  punishment,  nor  were  the  ones 
who  had  been  imprisoned  released. 

Meantime  the  war  was  being  carried  on  in  the  provinces  with  vary- 
ing success,  but  dissensions  finally  arose  between  the  civil  and  mili- 
tary authorities  of  the  republic  of  Cuba,  and  as  "a  house  divided  against 
itself  cannot  stand,"  the  effectiveness  of  the  campaign  was  destroyed, 
and,  in  1878,  concessions  were  offered  by  the  Spanish  government, 
which  were  accepted  by  the  revolutionists,  and  the  struggle  was  aban- 
doned. 

What  the  outcome  of  the  contest  might  have  been,  could  it  have 
been  continued  with  the  leaders  united  for  its  success,  is  an  open  ques- 
tion. As  the  years  went  by  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Cuban  army  seemed 
to  be  more  determined  than  ever  to  throw  off  the  yoke,  and  the  gov- 
ernment in  Spain  became  less  prompt  in  sending  supplies  of  men  and 
money  to  carry  on  the  war.  They  eagerly  seized  the  opportunity  to 
bring  it  to  a  close,  and  the  treaty  of  Zanjon,  which  was  signed  by  Gen- 
eral Martinez  Campos,  the  Spanish  Governor-General  of  the  island, 
and  General  Maximo  Gomez,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Cuban  army, 
promised  many  reforms,  and  gave  amnesty  to  all  who  had  taken  part 
in  the  rebellion. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
THE  PEACE  OF  ZANJON  AND  ITS  VIOLATED  PLEDGES. 

Spanish  Hypocrisy  and  Deceit — Cubans  Denied  Representation — Increase  of 
Taxation — The  Royal  Edicts — A  Plausible  Argument,  Which  Is  Not 
Borne  Out  by  Facts — Spain's  Promises  Always  Broken. 

If  Spain  had  been  sincere  in  the  promises  of  reform  she  made  her 
Cuban  colony  when  the  treaty  of  Zanjon  was  signed,  it  is  probable 
that  the  present  war  would  have  never  occurred.  For  while  a  few  of 
the  leaders — notably  General  Maceo — refused  to  become  pacified,  the 
great  majority  of  the  better  classes  were  glad  to  accept  a  peaceful  set- 
tlement on  terms  that  gave  them,  in  fact,  if  not  in  name,  nearly  every 
concession  for  which  they  had  fought. 

But  it  did  not  take  them  long  to  learn  that  they  had  been  duped. 
Spain  granted  to  Cuba  the  liberties  of  Puerto  Eico,  which  had  none. 
On  this  deceitful  ground  was  laid  the  new  situation,  through  which 
ran  a  current  of  falsehood  and  hypocrisy.  Spain,  whose  mind  did  not 
change,  hastened  to  change  the  name  of  things.  The  captain-general 
was  called  the  governor-general.  The  royal  decrees  took  the  name 
of  authorizations.  The  commercial  monopoly  of  Spain  was  named 
coasting  trade.  The  right  of  banishment  was  transformed  into  the 
law  of  vagrancy.  The  brutal  attacks  of  defenseless  citizens  were  called 
"componte."  The  law  of  constitutional  guarantees  became  the  law  of 
public  order.  Taxation  without  the  consent  or  knowledge  of  the  Cuban 
people  was  changed  into  the  law  of  estimates  (budget)  voted  by  the 
representatives  of  Spain. 

The  painful  lesson  of  the  Ten  Years'  War  was  entirely  lost  on 
Spain.  Instead  of  inaugurating  a  redeeming  policy  that  would  heal 
the  recent  wounds,  allay  public  anxiety,  and  quench  the  thirst  for  jus- 
tice felt  by  the  people,  who  were  desirous  to  enjoy  their  natural  rights, 
the  Peninsula,  while  lavish  in  promises  of  reform,  persisted  in  carry- 
ing on,  unchanged,  its  old  and  crafty  system,  namely:  to  exclude 
every  native  Cuban  from  every  office  that  could  give  him  any  effective 
influence  and  intervention  in  public  affairs ;  the  ungovernable  exploita- 
tion of  the  colonists'  labor  for  the  benefit  of  Spanish  commerce  and 

171 


172  TilE  PEACE  OF  /AN  JON. 

Spanish  bureaucracy,  both  civil  and  military.  To  carry  out  the  latter 
purpose  it  was  necessary  to  maintain  the  former  at  any  cost. 

Mr.  Clarence  King,  a  recognized  authority  on  political  subjects  con- 
nected with  Cuban  affairs,  says: 

"The  main  concession  for  which  the  insurgents  accepted  peace  was 
the  promise  of  constitutional  reform,  ^s  a  matter  of  fact,  there 
promptly  followed  four  royaJ  edicts  as  follows:  June  9,  entitling  Cuba 
to  elect  deputies  to  the  Cortes,  one  for  each  40,000  people;  June  9, 
dividing  the  island  into  the  present  six  provinces;  June  21,  instituting 
a  system  of  provincial  and  municipal  government,  followed  on  August 
16  by  the  necessary  electoral  regulations.  But  the  system  was  imme- 
diately seen  to  be  the  shadow  without  the  substance  of  self-govern- 
ment. The  Provincial  Assembly  could  nominate  only  three  candidates 
for  presiding  officer.  It  was  the  inevitable  governor-general  who  had 
the  power  to  appoint,  not  necessarily  one  of  the  three  nominees,  but 
any  member  of  the  Assembly  he  chose.  But  all  this  provincial  machin- 
ery is  in  reality  an  empty  form,  since  expressly  by  law  the  governor- 
general  was  given  the  power  to  prorogue  the  assemblies  at  will.  The 
deputies  have  never  been  able  to  accomplish  anything  in  the  Cortes. 
Moreover  the  crux  of  the  whole  financial  oppression — tariff,  taxes,  and 
absolute  control  and  expenditure  of  the  revenue — remained  with 
Spain." 

The  loyal  Spaniard  insists  that  every  agreement  entered  into  by  his 
government  was  faithfully  carried  out;  that  the  Cubans  were  given 
from  time  to  time  even  greater  liberties  than  the  treaty  promised  them ; 
and  that  in  several  matters  of  importance,  immunities  have  been 
granted  them  that  the  people  of  the  mother  country  did  not  share. 

The  Assistant  Colonial  Secretary  of  Spain  concludes  a  voluminous 
defense  of  the  policy  of  his  government  in  Cuba  as  follows: 

There  is  thus  no  reason  in  Cuba  to  complain  of  the  illiberality  of 
the  laws.  If  there  has  been  any  shortcoming  in  respect  to  morals,  the 
nation  is  not  to  blame;  none  but  the  colonial  provinces  are  to  blame 
for  this;  if  we  proposed  to  seek  comfort  in  comparisons,  it  would  not 
be  necessary  to  look  for  them  in  South  America,  in  the  countries  that 
have  emancipated  themselves  from  the  Spanish  mother-country,  be- 
cause examples  (some  of  them  very  recent)  of  acts  of  violence,  anarchj 
and  scandalous  outbreaks  c.ould  be  found  in  the  States  of  the  Union 
itself. 

In  respect  to  another  matter,  a  great  deal  of  foolish  talk  is  indulged 
in.  From  the  statements  of  some  people  it  would  appear  that  Cuba 


THE  PEACE  OF  ZANJON.  173 

does  nothing  but  contribute,  by  the  taxes  which  it  pays,  to  alleviate 
the  burdens  of  the  peninsular  treasury,  whereas,  in  reality,  just  the 
contrary  is  the  truth.  The  nation  has,  of  late,  guaranteed  the  conver- 
sion of  Spanish  debts  in  Cuba,  which  took  place  in  1886  and  1890. 
Owing  to  these  operations,  and  to  the  fact  that  all  taxes  which  did  not 
have  to  be  met  directly  by  its  government  have  been  rigorously  elim- 
inated from  the  budget  of  Cuba,  it  was  possible  to  reduce  the  Cuban 
budget  from  forty-six  and  one-half  million  dollars,  which  was  its 
amount  at  the  close  of  the  former  war  (for  the  fiscal  year  of  1878-79)  to 
a  little  more  than  twenty-three  millions  of  dollars,  as  appears  from  the 
budget  of  1893. 

The  financial  laws  have  been  assimilated,  and  if  the  system  of  taxa- 
tion has  not  been  entirely  assimilated,  this  is  because  of  the  fact  that 
direct  taxes  are  very  repugnant  to  the  popular  feeling  in  Cuba,  espe- 
cially the  tax  on  land,  which  is  the  basis  of  the  Peninsular  budget.  It 
appears,  however,  that  our  Cuban  brethren  have  no  reason  to  complain 
in  this  respect.  The  direct  tax  on  rural  property  is  two  per  cent,  in 
Cuba,  whereas  in  Spain  it  is  seventeen,  and  even  twenty  per  cent.  It 
is  evident  that  every  budget  must  be  based  on  something;  in  Cuba,  as 
in  all  other  countries  in  which  the  natural  conditions  are  similar,  that 
something  must  necessarily  be  the  income  from  customs  duties.  Not- 
withstanding this,  it  may  be  remarked  that  in  the  years  when  the 
greatest  financial  distress  prevailed,  the  Spanish  Government  never 
hesitated  to  sacrifice  that  income  when  it  was  necessary  to  do  so  in 
order  to  meet  the  especial  need  of  the  principal  agricultural  product 
of  Cuba.  Consequently  the  Spanish  commercial  treaty  with  the 
United  States  was  concluded,  which  certainly  had  not  been  concluded 
before,  owing  to  any  fault  of  the  Spanish  Government.  Under  that 
treaty,  the  principal  object  of  which  was  to  encourage  the  exportation 
of  Cuban  sugar,  which  found  its  chief  market  in  the  States  of  the 
Union,  many  Spanish  industries  were  sacrificed  which  have  formerly 
supplied  the  wants  of  the  people  of  Cuba.  That  sacrifice  was  unhesi- 
tatingly made,  and  now  that  the  treaty  is  no  longer  in  force,  is  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  new  American  tariff  has  stricken  sugar  from  the  free 
list 

Attention  may  also  be  called  to  the  fact  that  the  colonial  provinces 
alone  enjoy  exemption  from  the  blood  tax,  Cuba  never  having  been 
obliged  to  furnish  military  recruits. 

The  disqualifications  of  the  Cubans  to  hold  public  office  is  purely  a 
myth.  Such  disqualifications  is  found  on  the  text  of  no  law  or  regula- 


174  THE  PEACE  OF  ZANJON. 

tion,  and  in  point  of  fact  there  is  no  such  exclusion.  In  order  to  verify 
this  assertion  it  would  be  sufficient  to  examine  the  lists  of  Cuban 
officers,  especially  of  those  employed  in  the  administration  of  justice 
and  in  all  branches  of  instruction.  Even  if  it  were  desired  to  make  a 
comparison  of  political  offices,  even  of  those  connected  with  the  func- 
tions which  are  discharged  in  the  Peninsula,  the  proportion  would  still 
be  shown  in  which  Spaniards  in  Cuba  aspire  to  both.  The  fact  is  that 
a  common  fallacy  is  appealed  to  in  the  language  habitually  used  by  the 
enemies  of  Spain,  who  call  persons  "Peninsulars"  who  were  not  born  in 
Cuba,  but  have  resided  there  many  years  and  have  all  their  ties  and 
interests  there,  and  do  not  call  those  "Cubans"  who  were  born  there 
and  have  left  the  island  in  order  to  meet  necessities  connected,  per- 
haps, with  their  occupation.  This  was  done  in  the  Senate,  when  the 
advocates  of  the  separation  of  Cuba  only  were  called  "Cubans,"  while 
those  only  who  refused  allegiance  to  the  Spanish  mother-country  were 
called  patriots. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  relate  a  fact  which  may  appear  to  be  a  joke, 
but  which,  in  a  certain  way,  furnished  proof  of  what  I  have  just  said. 
When  Kafael  Gasset  returned  from  Habana,  he  came  and  asked  me  for 
some  data  showing  the  proportion  of  Cubans  holding  office  under  our 
Government.  I  asked  him,  as  a  preliminary  question,  for  a  definition 
of  what  we  were  to  understand  by  "Cuban"  and  what  by  "Peninsular!" 
He  immediately  admitted  that  the  decision  of  the  whole  question  was 
based  upon  that  definition,  and  I  called  his  attention  to  the  fact  that 
here,  in  the  Ministry  of  the  Colonies,  at  the  present  time,  there  are 
three  high  governmental  functionaries.  One  is  a  representative  from 
Habana,  being  at  the  same  time  a  professor  in  its  University,  and 
another,  viz.,  your  humble  servant,  is  a  Spaniard  because  he  was  born 
in  Habana  itself.  Is  the  other  man  a  Peninsular,  and  am  I  not  a 
Cuban?  GUILLERMO. 

Assistant  Colonial  Secretary  of  Spain. 

This  is  the  argument  from  the  Peninsular  standpoint,  and  it  is  prob- 
ably made  in  good  faith.  But  while  the  Spanish  rule  in  Cuba  may 
seem  to  be  just  and  equitable  in  theory,  it  is  oppressive  and  tyrannical 
in  fact.  While  the  government  may  have  partly  carried  out  the  letter 
of  its  promises,  there  has  been  no  effort  to  fulfill  the  spirit  of  the  com- 
pact in  the  slighest  degree,  and  the  violated  pledges  of  the  treaty  of 
Zanjon  only  add  new  chapters  to  the  long  record  of  Spanish  treachery 
and  deceit. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 
PREPARATIONS    FOR    ANOTHER    REBELLION. 

Spam's  Policy  of  Distrust— The  Cost  of  the  Ten  Years'  War— Work  of  the 
Cuban  Exiles — Revolutionary  Clubs  in  the  Western  Hemisphere — An 
Expedition  Checked — Heroism  of  Cuban  Women — The  Struggle  Begun. 

Ever  since  Spain  lost  her  colonies  on  the  American  continent  the 
Cubans  have  striven  to  gain  their  independence.  The  Ten  Years  War 
cost  the  mother  country  300,000,000  pesetas  and  100,000  men,  most  of 
them  victims  of  yellow  fever.  When  slavery  was  abolished  in  1880 
fresh  disturbances  ensued.  The  majority  of  slave  holders,  who  received 
no  compensation,  joined  the  party  of  independence. 

Spain,  adhering  to  her  old  policy  of  distrust,  retained  a  large  army 
in  Cuba  and  a  navy  round  about  her  shores,  the  expenses  of  which  caused 
the  budget  to  amount  to  $46,594,000  at  a  time  when  two-thirds  of  the 
island  was  nothing  but  a  mass  of  ruins,  and  when  Cuba  was  beginning 
to  feel  the  effects  of  the  competition  with  other  sugar-producing 
countries. 

Wrhile  the  European  manufacturers  received  important  bounties 
those  of  Cuba  had  to  pay  export  duties  on  their  sugar,  and  the  impor- 
tation of  all  agricultural  and  industrial  implements  was  subjected  to 
a  tariff  almost  prohibitive. 

Two  laws  were  enacted  in  1882  to  regulate  commerce  between  Cuba 
and  Spain.  By  the  provisions  of  these  laws  the  import  duties  on  all 
Spanish  products  were  to  be  gradually  diminished  until  their  importa- 
tion in  Cuba  became  entirely  free,  while  the  Cubans  had  to  pa}^  on  their 
imports  to  Spain  duties  which  practically  closed  the  Spanish  market  to 
all  their  products. 

Spanish  goods,  as  a  rule,  are  much  inferior  to  those  of  English, 
French  or  American  manufacture,  but  the  Cuban  consumer  was  forced 
to  buy  Spanish  goods  or  pay  an  exorbitant  price  for  those  which  he 
would  have  preferred  to  buy  at  a  fair  price.  An  instance  will  suffice 
to  illustrate  this:  When  the  present  war  began  in  1895  the  duty  on  a 
hundred  kilogrammes  of  woolen  cashmere  was  fifteen  dollars  and  forty- 

175 


376  PREPARATIONS    FOR   ANOTHER    REBELLION. 

seven  cents  if  Spanish,  three  hundred  dollars  if  foreign.  These  differ, 
ential  duties  opened  a  reign  of  prosperity  for  industry  in  Spain,  where 
foreign  goods  were  imported  or  smuggled,  to  be  later  sent  to  Cuba  an 
Spanish. 

The  injustice  of  these  commercial  laws  was  so  evident  and  so  det- 
rimental to  the  interests  of  Cuba  that  in  1894  the  Planters'  Association, 
the  president  of  which,  the  Count  de  Diana,  was  a  Spaniard,  referred  to 
them  as  "destructive  of  our  public  wealth,  a  source  of  inextinguish- 
able discontent  and  the  germ  of  serious  dissensions." 

The  insular  budgets  could  never  be  covered,  and  the  result  was 
that  the  public  debt  was  kept  on  the  increase.  The  expenditures  were 
classed  as  follows:  For  army  and  navy,  36.59  per  cent  of  the  budget's 
total;  for  the  debt,  40.89;  for  justice  and  government,  19.77,  and  for  pub- 
lic works,  2.75.  No  public  work  of  any  kind  was  begun  in  the  seven- 
teen years  which  intervened  between  the  two  wars. 

The  Cuban  Treasury,  between  1823  and  1864,  sent  to  &pain 
$82,165,436  in  gold.  This  money  entered  the  Spanish  Treasury  a» 
"Colonial  surplus,"  but  as  a  Spanish  writer  (Zaragoza)  says  in  his  book, 
"  Las  Insurrecciones  de  Cuba,"  it  was  absurd  to  speak  of  a  surplus 
when  not  even  the  opening  of  a  bad  road  was  undertaken. 

Politically,  the  condition  of  the  Cubans  after  the  restoration  of 
peace  in  1878,  was  as  bad  as  it  had  been  before.  Laws  existed  which 
might  lead  unobserving  persons  to  believe  that  the  Cubans  enjoyed 
every  liberty,  but  as  a  matter  of  fact  the  Cubans  were  kept  under  the 
most  unbearable  vassalage.  The  Spaniards  in  Cuba  before  this  war 
numbered  only  9.30  per  cent  of  the  island's  population,  but,  availing 
themselves  of  a  law  which  gave  to  them  a  majority  in  the  electoral 
census,  they  were  to  return  twenty-four  of  the  thirty  deputies  which  the 
island  then  sent  to  the  Spanish  Cortes. 

So  restrictive  was  the  electoral  law  that  only  53,000  men  were  qual- 
ified to  vote  in  the  entire  island,  although  its  population  was  1,762,000. 
Jn  the  municipal  district  of  Guines,  with  a  population  of  12,500  Cubans 
and  500  Spaniards,  the  electoral  census  included  400  Spaniards  and 
thirty-two  Cubans.  This  is  one  among  many  similar  instances.  The 
Board  of  Aldermen  in  Havana,  the  capital  city  of  the  island,  has  for 
years  been  made  up  entirely  of  Spaniards,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
Cienfuegos  and  other  important  cities. 

Despite  all  constitutional  provisions  the  governor-general  of  the 
isla«nd  had  the  power  to  deport  from  the  island,  without  a  trial,  anj 


PREPARATIONS    FOB   ANOTHER    REBELLION.  177 

person  whose  presence  there  he  considered  dangerous  to  the  security 
of  the  State.  The  island  was  at  peace  when  Cepeda,  Lopez  de  Brinas 
and  Marquez  Sterling,  all  journalists,  were  deported.  The  liberty  of 
the  press  Avas  and  still  is  a  myth.  El  Pais,  the  Autonomist  organ,  was 
criminally  prosecuted  in  1889  because  it  denounced  the  appointment  of 
one  of  the  sons  of  the  president  of  the  Havana  Court  of  Appeals  to  a 
place  which  he  could  not  lawfully  hold. 

What  liberty  of  association  the  Cubans  enjoyed  may  be  judged  from 
the  fact  that  a  delegate  of  the  government  had  to  be  present  at  their 
meetings,  with  power  to  dissolve  them  whenever  he  saw  fit  to  do  so. 

No  Cuban  was  able  to  obtain  a  place  in  the  administration  unless 
he  was  rich  enough  to  go  to  Madrid  and  there  become  acquainted  with 
some  influential  politician.  Even  so,  Cubans  seldom  succeeded  in  being 
appointed  to  places  of  importance. 

The  Cuban  exiles  in  Key  West,  New  York  and  other  cities  in  the 
United  States,  and  in  Costa  Rica,  Honduras,  Santo  Domingo  and  other 
parts  of  Spanish  America,  had  been  planning  a  new  uprising  for  several 
years.  The  desire  of  the  Cubans  for  national  independence  was  quick- 
ened by  what  they  suffered  from  Spain's  misgovern ment.  For  two  or 
three  years  the  exiles  in  the  United  States  and  Spanish  American 
countries,  veterans  of  the  war  of  1868-78,  and  younger  champions  of 
free  Cuba,  organized  clubs,  collected  a  war  fund,  purchased  munitions 
of  war  and  laid  plans  with  their  compatriots  in  Cuba  for  a  new  struggle 
for  independence.  There  were  140  revolutionary  clubs  in  North  and 
South  America,  Cuba  and  other  West  India  islands,  affiliated  under 
the  name  of  the  revolutionary  party,  ready  to  support  an  uprising  with 
financial  and  moral  aid.  Cuban  working-men  in  the  United  States  prom- 
ised to  contribute  a  tenth  of  their  earnings,  or  more  if  necessary.  There 
were  firearms  on  the  island  that  had  remained  concealed  since  the 
former  war,  some  had  been  bought  from  corrupt  custodians  of  the  gov- 
ernment arsenals,  who,  finding  it  impossible  to  get  pay  due  them  from 
Spain,  took  this  method  of  securing  what  was  rightfully  theirs. 

An  Expedition  Checked. 

An  expedition  that  planned  to  sail  in  the  yacht  Lagonda  from 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  on  January  14,  1895,  was  broken  up  by  the  United 
States  authorities.  General  Antonio  Maceo,  its  leader,  with  Jose"  Marti, 
the  political  organizer  of  the  new  government,  went  to  Santo  Domingo, 
"where  they  could  confer  with  the  revolutionist  leaders  living  in  Cuba. 


178  PREPARATIONS    FOR    ANOTHER    REBELLION. 

There  Marti  found  Maximo  Gomez,  the  veteran  of  a  dozen  struggles 
and  a  brave  and  able  soldier,  and  offered  him  the  command  and  organiza- 
tion of  the  army.  Gomez  accepted  and  began  at  once  to  arrange  his 
programme. 

The  plan  of  the  revolutionists  was  to  rise  simultaneously  in  the  six 
provinces  on  February  24.  The  leaders  on  the  island  and  the  organizers 
abroad  had  a  thorough  understanding. 

Heroism  of  Cuban  Women. 

The  men  of  Cuba  were  not  alone  in  their  plans  for  independence, 
for  their  wives  and  sisters,  mothers  and  sweethearts,  were  enthusiastic 
and  faithful  allies.  The  island  was  full  of  devoted  women  reared  in 
indolence  and  luxury  who  were  tireless  in  their  successful  efforts  to 
get  word  from  one  scattered  rebel  band  to  another,  and  to  send  them 
food,  medicines  and  clothing.  These  women  were  far  better  con- 
spirators than  .their  fathers  and  brothers,  for  Cuban  men  must  talk,  but 
the  women  seem  to  know  the  value  of  silence. 

Beautiful  and  delicate  senoritas  would  disguise  themselves  in  men's 
attire  and  steal  out  at  night  to  the  near-by  haunts  of  lover  or  brother 
in  the  "Long  Grass,"  as  the  insurgents'  camps  are  called,  with  food 
secreted  in  false  pockets,  or  letters,  whose  envelopes  had  been  dipped 
in  ink,  hidden  in  their  black  hair.  Medicines  were  carried  in  canes,  and 
cloth  for  clothes  or  wounds  was  concealed  in  the  lining  of  coats.  One 
girl,  disguised  as  a  vender,  frequentty  carried  to  the  woods  dynamite 
in  egg  shells  deftly  put  together. 

She  had  many  thrilling  experiences,  but  her  narrowest  escape  was 
when  a  Spanish  soldier  by  the  roadside  insisted  on  taking  from  the 
basket  an  egg,  to  let  its  contents  drop  in  a  hot  and  ready  pan.  He 
was  with  difficulty  persuaded  to  forego  the  meal.  The  dynamite  was 
made  by  another  woman,  who  carefully  obtained  the  ingredients  at 
various  times  and  at  widely  scattered  drug  stores. 

And  so,  with  almost  every  Cuban  man,  woman  and  child  united  in 
a  fixed  determination  to  make  the  island  one  of  the  free  and  indepen- 
dent nations  of  the  earth,  the  final  struggle  was  begun. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    CUBAN    JUNTA    AND    ITS    WORK. 

Organization  Which  Has  Represented  the  Insurgents  in  the  United  States — 
Splendid  Wrork  Done  by  Senor  Tomas  Estrada  Palma  and  His  Staff — 
Sources  of  the  WTar  Funds — Generosity  of  Cuban  Cigar  Makers  Who 
Have  Supported  the  Revolution — Liberal  Gifts  from  Americans — Some 
Inside  Facts  about  Filibustering — American  Sailors  Do  Not  Like  to 
Capture  Insurgent  Supplies — Palma's  Address  to  the  American  People. 

From  the  moment  of  the  first  outbreak  of  insurrection  in  Cuba,  in 
February,  1895,  the  name  of  the  Cuban  Junta  has  been  a  familiar  phrase 
to  everyone  in  the  United  States,  and  yet  its  functions  and  its  organiza- 
tion have  been  by  no  means  well  understood.  There  have  been  those 
in  Congress  and  elsewhere  who  have  spoken  of  it  slightingly  as  an  or- 
ganization banded  together  for  its  own  profit  in  some  way,  not  realizing 
that  its  members  were  the  trusted  representatives  abroad  of  the  whole 
Cuban  people. 

The  parallels  between  the  Cuban  insurrection  and  that  of  the  Ameri- 
can colonies  against  Great  Britain  in  1776,  are  far  more  numerous  than 
has  been  recognized.  The  Cuban  army  has  been  poorly  clothed  and 
scantily  fed  at  times,  and  equipped  with  all  sorts  of  obsolete  weapons  of 
offence.  But  these  things  are  no  disgrace,  and  indeed  are  the  basis  of 
much  of  the  pride  that  Americans  take  in  the  splendid  work  which  their 
ancestors  did  in  that  other  insurrection,  which,  having  resulted  success- 
fully, is  now  known  as  the  American  Revolution.  There  have  been 
sneers  at  the  government  of  the  Cuban  republic  because  its  officers  have 
had  to  move  from  place  to  place  at  various  times,  in  order  to  avoid 
threatened  capture  by  the  Spanish  forces.  But  was  there  ever  a  more 
peripatetic  national  government  than  that  of  the  American  colonies 
during  the  Revolution,  when  the  legislature  and  its  officers  sat  succes- 
sively in  Philadelphia,  Germantown,  Princeton,  New  York  and  several 
other  places,  driven  out  of  each  in  turn  by  the  same  fear  of  capture  by 
British  troops? 

Finally,  it  ought  to  be  remembered,  though  it  may  not  be,  that  the 

179 


ISO  THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WOKK 

colonies  maintained  an  organization  exactly  similar  to  that  of  the  Cuban 
Junta  in  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  money  and  support  from 
the  people  and  the  governments  of  Europe,  to  whom  they  were  ac- 
credited. The  only  country  which  gave  them  welcome  encouragement 
was  France.  But  Benjamin  Franklin's  position  in  Paris  as  the  head  of 
what  was  virtually  the  American  Junta  was  then  and  is  now  an  honor 
to  his  name  and  his  countrymen.  It  enlisted  the  same  aid  from  France 
and  French  citizens  that  the  Cuban  Junta  in  New  York  has  enlisted 
from  the  United  States  and  American  citizens,  and  there  is  no  reason  to 
form  any  less  creditable  judgment  of  the  latter  enterprise  than  the 
former. 

Character  of  the  "Work  of  the  Junta, 

The  Junta  is  the  organization  through  which  Cuba's  friends  reach 
the  Cubans  in  the  field.  In  many  places  these  friends  are  banded  to- 
gether and  work  for  the  Cuban  cause  as  organizations.  In  the  United 
States  and  Europe  there  are  300  Cuban  revolutionary  clubs,  with  a 
membership  of  more  than  50,000.  These  clubs  were  the  outcome  of  a 
suggestion  originating  with  Jose  Marti,  and  their  organization  has  been 
accomplished  by  the  delegation,  with  whom  they  are  all  in  closest 
touch,  to  whom  they  all  account,  and  through  whom  they  all  make  con- 
tributions in  money,  clothing,  provisions,  arms,  and  munitions  for  those 
who  are  enduring  the  hardships  of  the  war.  Before  the  revolution  be- 
gan these  clubs  had  $100,000  in  bank  as  a  war  fund. 

These  most  vital  contributions  must  reach  the  army  in  the  field,  and 
it  is  the  business  of  the  delegation  to  see  that  they  get  there.  And  they 
have  been  getting  there  under  most  adverse  and  trying  circumstances, 
and  amid  perils  of  land  and  sea  where  enemies  are  watching  and  where 
a  friendly  government  has  had  to  guard  against  the  violation  of  neutral- 
ity laws. 

For  accomplishing  its  work  the  Junta  has  in  no  way  been  restricted 
in  authority,  the  Cuban  government  having  even  granted  special  author- 
ity allowing  Mr.  Palma  to  issue  a  limited  amount  of  bonds,  coin  money, 
and  grant  letters  of  marque. 

It  has  further  been  the  business  of  the  Junta — attended  by  risk  of 
life  to  its  agents — to  keep  in  communication  with  the  insurgents.  This 
has  been  done  by  secret  agents  who  come  and  go  from  New  York  to  Key 
West,  from  Key  West  to  Havana,  from  Havana  into  Spanish  cities  of 
Cuba  and  through  the  provinces  of  the  island. 


THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK.  181 

The  headquarters  of  the  Junta  bears  no  outward  sign  except  that 
the  stars  and  stripes  and  the  single  starred  flag  of  Cuba  wave  from  the 
third-story  window,  where  is  Mr.  Palma's  office.  A  narrow  hall  and  tor- 
tuous stairs  lead  to  the  office  of  the  delegate,  where  on  every  side  are 
signs  of  active  business,  with  shelves,  tables,  and  desks  holding  heaps 
of  letters,  books  of  accounts,  and  documents  of  various  sorts.  Here  the 
delegate  works,  receives  his  friends,  coworkers,  and  agents. 

Off  the  main  room  is  a  private  office,  wThere  secret  agents  report  and 
are  instructed,  and  where  councils  of  moment  are  held  and  decisions  of 
vital  import  to  the  Cuban  cause  reached,  to  be  followed  by  orders  that 
are  of  immense  importance  to  the  army  of  liberation. 

The  Cuban  Junta,  with  its  headquarters,  represents  the  legation  of 
the  Cuban  republic  abroad,  and  the  head  of  the  Junta,  as  it  is  called,  is 
T.  Estrada  Palma.  Properly  speaking  he  is  the  delegate,  and  with  the 
members  of  his  ministerial  and  diplomatic  household  constitutes  the 
delegation  of  the  Cuban  republic. 

The  term  "Junta"  has  been  applied  because  such  a  body  or  council 
was  attached  to  the  diplomatic  department  of  Cuba  during  the  Ten 
Years'  war.  As  the  authority  of  the  Junto  frequently  restricted  the  ac- 
tion of  the  delegate,  the  promoters  of  the  present  revolution  decided 
to  eliminate  it;  yet  the  name  remains,  and  is  used  and  accepted  to  desig- 
nate Mr.  Palma  and  his  associates. 

Authority  of  the  Junta. 

This  Junta,  as  the  representative  of  the  Cuban  republic,  acts  on  high 
authority,  for  the  delegation  was  appointed  on  September  19,  1895,  by 
the  Constituent  Assembly  that  formed  the  government  and  commis- 
sioned Maximo  Gomez  chief  commander  of  the  Cuban  army.  At  the 
same  time  it  made  Mr.  Palma  delegate  and  Cuban  representative 
abroad,  with  authority  to  appoint  ministers  to  all  governments  and  to 
have  control  of  all  of  Cuba's  diplomatic  relations  and  representatives 
throughout  the  world.  Besides  this,  Mr.  Palma  is  the  duly  accredited 
minister  from  Cuba  to  the  United  States,  and  in  the  event  of  the  Cuban 
republic  being  recognized  would  be  received  as  such. 

Under  his  authority  Mr.  Palma  has  appointed  sub-delegates,  or 
diplomatic  agents,  in  France,  Italy,  Mexico,  and  the  Central  and  South 
American  republics.  Cuba's  independence  not  being  acknowledged  by 
these  nations,  her  ministers  are  not  officially  recognized,  but  are  often 


182  THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK. 

unofficially  received  at  the  "back  door,"  and  exert  an  influence  for  the 
benefit  of  Cuba  in  the  countries  to  which  they  are  appointed. 

Mr.  Palma  is  in  reality  the  head  of  the  Cuban  revolutionary  party 
abroad,  which  is  one  of  the  three  departments  of  the  Cuban  revolution- 
ary government,  the  two  others  being  the  civil  government  and  the  army 
of  liberation. 

This  Cuban  revolutionary  branch  was  founded  by  Jose  Marti,  who  is 
regarded  by  the  Cubans  as  the  apostle  and  master  mind  of  the  Cuban 
revolution. 

Mr.  Palma  is  not  only  the  head  and  front  of  the  Junta,  but  he  is  the 
one  person  in  whom  its  authority  is  centered.  He  was  born  in  Cuba 
about  sixty  years  ago,  and  in  his  tender  youth  imbibed  the  spirit  of  lib- 
erty for  the  island,  a  spirit  which  grew  with  him  until  it  influenced  his 
every  word  and  act,  and  finally  received  his  entire  devotion.  So  direct, 
gentle,  yet  determined  are  his  methods,  and  so  unassuming  and  plain  is 
he  in  speech  and  manner  that  he  soon  became  known  as  the  "Cuban 
Franklin,"  and  more  firmly  has  the  name  become  attached  to  him  since 
the  potent  influence  of  his  policy  has  been  felt  throughout  the  world. 

During  the  Ten  Years'  war  Mr.  Palma  was  President  of  the  Cuban  re- 
public; was  made  prisoner  by  Spanish  troops,  and  sent  to  Spain,  where 
he  was  imprisoned  until  the  close  of  the  conflict.  While  in  Spain,  abso- 
lutely suffering  under  the  hardships  of  imprisonment,  he  was  offered 
freedom  if  he  would  swear  allegiance  to  the  Spanish  crown. 

"No!"  was  his  answer.  "You  may  shoot  me  if  you  will,  but  if  I  am 
shot  it  will  be  as  the  President  of  the  Cuban  republic." 

Besides  Mr.  Palma,  the  only  members  of  the  delegation  appointed 
by  the  Cuban  government  are:  Dr.  Joaquin  D.  Castillo,  the  sub-dele- 
gate; Benjamin  J.  Guerra,  treasurer  of  the  republic  abroad,  and  Gon- 
zalo  de  Quesada,  charge  d'affaires  at  Washington. 

Dr.  Castillo  is  vice-delegate  and  would  take  Mr.  Palma's  place  in  case 
of  his  death  or  inability  to  act. 

Sources  of  the  War   Funds. 

The  Junta,  whose  duty  it  has  been  to  provide  the  funds  for  the  carry- 
ing on  of  the  war,  has  had  various  sources  of  income,  all  of  them  dis- 
tinctly creditable,  both  to  the  integrity  of  the  Cuban  authorities  and  to 
the  sentiments  of  those  who  have  contributed  the  money.  The  larger 
portion  of  the  cash  has  come  in  small  contributions  from  Cubans  living 


ADMIRAL  PASCUAL  DE  CERVERA 


69.  HAVANA.    A  CUBAN  WINDOW. 


A  COMMON  SCENE  IN   HAVANA— CUBA 


THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK.          185 

in  the  United  States.  The  cigarmakers  of  Key  West,  Tampa,  Jackson- 
ville, New  York  and  other  cities  where  large  Cuban  colonies  have  con- 
gregated, have  proven  their  patriotism  and  their  adherence  to  the  cause 
by  giving  more  generously  of  their  earnings  than  has  ever  been  done 
before  by  the  people  of  any  country  struggling  for  freedom.  There  is 
scarcely  an  exception  to  the  assertion  that  every  Cuban  in  America  has 
shared  in  contributions  to  the  war  fund. 

The  minimum  contribution  has  been  ten  per  cent  of  the  weekly  earn- 
ings, and  this  has  brought  an  enormous  sum  into  the  coffers  of  the  Junta 
for  war  purposes.  It  is  true  that  a  war  chest  of  $50,000  or  $100,000  a 
week  would  be  hardly  a  drop  in  the  bucket  for  the  conduct  of  the  war 
after  the  established  methods  of  organized  armies.  But  this  has  been 
a  war  for  liberty,  and  the  conditions  have  been  unique.  No  soldier  in  all 
the  armies  of  Cuba  Libre  has  ever  drawn  one  dollar  of  pay  for  his 
service.  Thousands  of  them  have  been  fighting  from  the  first  outbreak 
of  insurrection,  without  receiving  a  cent  of  money  for  it.  If  the  pay  of 
an  army  be  deducted  from  the  expenses  of  a  war,  the  largest  item  is 
saved. 

Nor  has  it  been  necessary  to  purchase  many  clothes,  owing  to  the 
mildness  of  the  Cuban  climate,  which  fights  in  favor  of  those  who  are 
accustomed  to  it.  The  commissary  department,  too,  has  been  almost 
non-existent,  and  the  soldiers  in  the  field  have  lived  by  foraging  and  by 
collecting  the  vegetables  and  fruits  saved  for  them  by  the  women  and 
children,  whose  hearts  are  as  deep  in  the  conflict  as  are  their  own.  The 
principal  demand  for  money  has  been  to  procure  arms,  ammunition  and 
medical  and  surgical  supplies. 

In  addition  to  the  contributions  which  have  come  from  patriotic 
Cubans,  another  large  source  of  income  to  the  Junta  has  been  the  silent 
liberality  of  many  American  citizens,  who  have  proved  their  practical 
sympathy  to  the  cause  of  freedom  by  giving  of  their  wealth  to  aid  it. 
Outside  of  these  sources,  the  only  income  has  been  from  the  sale  of 
bonds  of  the  Cuban  republic,  a  means  of  obtaining  money  which  has 
been  used  conservatively,  so  that  the  infant  republic  should  not  be  sad- 
dled with  a  heavy  debt  at  the  outset  of  its  career  as  an  independent  na- 
tion. 

Aside  from  the  contributions  of  money  to  the  Cuban  powers,  enor- 
mous quantities  of  medical  and  surgical  supplies  and  hospital  delicacies 
have  been  offered  by  the  generous  people  of  the  United  States,  or- 
ganized into  Cuban  Auxiliary  Aid  Societies  in  the  various  cities  of  the 


186  THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK. 

country.    American  women  have  taken  a  prominent  part  in  this  mare* 
ment  and  have  won  thereby  the  undying  gratitude  of  the  Cubans. 

Some  Facts  About  Filibustering. 

The  sailing  of  vessels  from  New  York  and  other  ports  with  cargoes 
of  supplies  for  the  Cuban  revolutionists  has  been  a  frequent  occurrence, 
far  more  so  than  has  been  known  to  the  public.  Filibustering  is  a 
phrase  that  has  gained  honor  during  these  three  years,  such  as  it  never 
had  before.  Carried  on  in  the  cause  of  humanity  and  liberty,  its  motives 
justified  its  irregularities,  and  there  have  been  few  to  condemn  the  prac- 
tice. In  the  fogs  of  an  early  morning,  some  fast  steamer  would  slip 
away  from  an  Atlantic  port,  loaded  with  arms,  ammunition,  quinine, 
and  all  sorts  of  hospital,  medical  and  surgical  supplies,  accompanied 
usually  by  a  band  of  Cuban  patriots,  seeking  the  first  opportunity  to  re- 
turn to  their  beautiful  island  and  take  up  arms  for  its  liberation.  There 
have  been  a  few  such  expeditions  captured,  but  for  everyone  captured  a 
score  have  reached  their  destination  on  the  Cuban  coast  without  inter- 
ruption, and  have  landed  their  cargo  in  safety  in  insurgent  camps. 

The  United  States  government,  in  recognition  of  its  diplomatic  obli- 
gations, spent  millions  of  dollars  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  our  war  with 
Spain,  in  carrying  on  a  patrol  sendee  on  the  Atlantic  coast  and  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  to  prevent  the  sailing  of  filibustering  expeditions.  Now  that 
the  day  of  such  patrol  service  in  the  aid  of  Spain  is  ended  forever,  there 
can  be  no  harm  in  telling  some  of  the  details  that  might  have  been  com- 
promising before. 

American  cruisers  and  gunboats  were  stationed  in  the  harbors 
around  the  coast,  from  New  York  to  New  Orleans,  and  particularly  on 
both  sides  of  the  Florida  peninsula.  To  one  of  these  vessels  would  come 
the  news  that  a  suspected  filibustering  craft  was  likely  to  sail  from  a 
certain  place  at  a  certain  time,  and  orders  would  be  given  to  intercept 
the  rover  if  possible.  To  one  who  did  not  know  the  temper  and  the 
spirit  of  American  sailors  from  highest  to  lowest  in  the  service  of  the 
navy,  the  actions  that  followed  might  have  been  puzzling.  In  spite  of 
the  proverbial  alacrity  and  readiness  with  which  an  American  vessel 
can  make  sail,  there  was  always  a  delay  at  such  times.  It  was  almost 
certain  that  something  would  be  wrong  that  would  require  some  time  to 
correct  before  the  anchor  could  be  weighed.  It  might  be  necessary  to 
buy  provisions  or  to  take  on  coal  before  sailing,  and  then,  more  than 


THE  CUBAN  JUNT^  ^ND  ITS  WORK.          187 

once  after  the  anchor  was  weighed  and  the  actual  start  begun,  it  would 
be  discovered  that  some  minor  accident  had  occurred  to  the  machinery, 
which  would  require  another  halt  to  repair  it.  Finally  at  sea,  the 
cruiser  would  steam  away  at  full  speed  in  the  direction  of  the  reported 
filibuster,  until  her  hull  and  even  her  smoke  disappeared  far  down  in  the 
horizon. 

Capturing  of  Filibustering  Vessels. 

What  happened  after  that  no  one  ashore  could  know.  But  more 
than  once  there  were  grave  suspicions  that  other  delays  occurred  as 
soon  as  the  vessel  was  well  out  of  sight,  or  that  the  course  was  changed 
in  pursuit  of  some  other  passing  vessel,  until  after  a  few  hours'  chase 
it  would  be  discovered  to  be  an  unoffending  craft,  and  the  course  would 
be  resumed  towards  the  goal,  as  first  ordered. 

However  these  things  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  the  capture  of  a  fili- 
bustering vessel  before  her  cargo  was  discharged  was  an  almost  un- 
known event,  and  that  the  capture  of  such  a  craft  after  her  cargo  was 
discharged  could  in  no  way  be  disastrous  to  the  Cuban  cause  when  noth- 
ing could  be  proved  against  the  boat  or  her  men.  Certain  it  is  that  no 
officer  or  sailor  in  the  American  navy  ever  wanted  to  capture  a  fili- 
buster. To  an  American  it  was  a  blot  on  the  honor  of  the  ship  that  it 
should  be  used  to  intercept  arms  and  ammunition  on  their  way  to  an 
oppressed  people  struggling  for  their  freedom.  It  is  safe  to  siay  that 
the  two  or  three  captures  which,  were  made  of  filibusters  at  such  a  time 
that  their  confiscation  and  the  conviction  of  their  officers  could  not  be 
avoided,  was  a  distinct  grief  to  every  man  who  participated  in  the 
chase  and  the  punishments  that  followed. 

No  one  can  deny  the  integrity  or  the  ability  of  the  men  who  are  en- 
listed in  the  cause  of  Cuba  as  the  New  York  Junta,  who  knows  the  facts 
as  to  their  personality  and  the  work  they  have  done.  Some  of  the  diplo- 
matic and  state  papers  which  have  been  issued  by  Senor  Palma  are 
worthy  to  take  rank  with  the  utterances  of  any  American  who  has 
gained  fame  in  national  history  for  similar  work.  A  notable  instance 
of  the  dignity  and  the  eloquence  with  which  he  speaks,  is  found  in  the 
proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  United  States  which  he  issued  but  a 
few  weeks  before  the  outbreak  of  our  war  with  Spain.  He  said : 

Senor  Palma  on  the  Spanish  Concessions. 

"The  persistency  with  which  the  American  press  has  during  the  last 
few  days  been  treating  of  supposed  administrative  reforms  to  be  in- 


188  THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WOKK. 

troduced  in  Cuba  by  the  government  of  Spain,  compels  me  to  request 
the  publication  of  the  following  declarations,  which  I  make  in  behalf  of 
my  government,  of  the  army  of  liberation  of  Cuba,  and  of  the  Cuban 
revolutionary  party. 

"The  question  of  the  proposed  reforms  is  not  a  matter  which  at  all 
concerns  those  who  have  already  established  an  independent  govern- 
ment in  Cuba  and  have  resolved  to  shrink  from  no  sacrifice  of  property 
or  life  in  order  to  emancipate  the  whole  island  from  the  Spanish  yoke. 
If  the  Spanish  residents  of  the  island  who  are  favored  by  the  Spanish 
government  with  all  sorts  of  privileges  and  monopolies,  and  if  the 
handful  of  Cubans,  too  pusillanimous  or  too  proud  to  acknowledge  their 
error,  or  a  few  foreigners  guided  only  by  selfish  interests,  are  satisfied 
that  Cuba  should  remain  under  Spanish  domination,  we  who  fight  under 
the  flag  of  the  solitary  star,  we  who  already  constitute  the  Republic  of 
Cuba,  and  belong  to  a  free  people  with  its  own  government  and  its  own 
laws,  are  firmly  resolved  to  listen  to  no  compromise  and  to  treat  with 
Spain  on  the  basis  of  absolute  independence  for  Cuba, 

"If  Spain  has  power  to  exterminate  us,  then  let  her  convert  the 
island  into  a  vast  cemetery;  if  she  has  not  and  wishes  to  terminate  the 
war  before  the  whole  country  is  reduced  to  ashes,  then  let  her  adopt  the 
only  measure  that  will  put  an  end  to  it  and  recognize  our  independence. 
Spain  must  know  by  this  time  that  while  there  is  a  single  living  Cuban 
with  dignity — and  there  are  many  thousands  of  them — there  will  not  be 
peace  in  Cuba,  nor  even  hope  of  it 

"All  good  causes  must  finally  triumph,  and  ours  is  a  good  ca,use.  It 
is  the  cause  of  justice  treated  with  contempt,  of  right  suppressed  by 
force,  and  of  the  dignity  of  a  people  offended  to  the  last  degree. 

"We  Cubans  have  a  thousandfold  more  reason  in  our  endeavors  to 
free  ourselves  from  the  Spanish  yoke  than  the  people  of  the  thirteen 
colonies  had  when  in  1776  they  rose  in  arms  against  the  British  govern- 
ment. 

Comparisons  with  the  American  Colonies. 

"The  people  of  these  colonies  were  in  full  enjoyment  of  all  the  rights 
of  man;  they  had  liberty  of  conscience,  freedom  of  speech,  liberty  of  the 
press,  the  right  of  public  meeting  and  the  right  of  free  locomotion; 
they  elected  those  who  governed  them,  they  made  their  own  laws  and, 
in  fact,  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  self-government.  They  were  not  under 
the  sway  of  a  captain-general  with  arbitrary  powers,  who  at  his  will 


THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK.          189 

could  imprison  them,  deport  them  to  penal  colonies,  or  order  their  execu- 
tion even  without  the  semblance  of  a  court-martial.  They  did  not  have 
to  pay  a  permanent  army  and  navy  that  they  might  be  kept  in  subjec- 
tion, nor  to  feed  a  swarm  of  hungry  employes  yearly  sent  over  from  the 
metropolis  to  prey  upon  the  country. 

"They  were  never  subjected  to  a  stupid  and  crushing  customs  tariff 
which  compelled  them  to  go  to  the  home  markets  for  millions  of  mer- 
chandise annually,  which  they  could  buy  much  cheaper  elsewhere; 
they  were  never  compelled  to  cover  a  budget  of  $26,000,000  or 
$30,000,000  a  year,  without  the  consent  of  the  tax-payers,  and  for  the 
purposes  of  defraying  >the  expenses  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the  op- 
pressor, to  pay  the  salaries  of  thousands  of  worthless  European  em- 
ployes, the  whole  interest  on  a  debt  not  incurred  by  the  colony,. and 
other  expenditures  from  which  the  island  received  no  benefit  whatever; 
for  out  of  all  those  millions  only  the  paltry  sum  of  $700,000  was  ap- 
parently applied  for  works  of  internal  improvement  and  one-half  of 
this  invariably  went  into  the  pockets  of  the  Spanish  employes. 

"We  have  thrown  ourselves  into  the  struggle  advisedly  and  delib- 
erately; we  knew  what  we  would  have  to  face,  and  we  decided  unflinch- 
ingly to  persevere  until  we  should  emancipate  ourselves  from  the  Span- 
ish government.  And  we  know  that  we  are  able  to  do  it,  as  we  know 
that  we  are  competent  to  govern  ourselves. 

"Among  other  proofs  which  could  be  adduced  of  the  ability  of  the 
Cuban  white  and  colored  to  rule  themselves,  is  the  strong  organization 
of  the  Cuban  revolutionary  party  in  America,  It  is  composed  of  more 
than  20,000  Cubans,  living  in  different  countries  of  the  new  world  and 
formed  into  clubs,  the  members  of  which  yearly  elect  their  leader.  This 
organization  has  been  in  existence  over  five  years,  during  which  every 
member  has  strictly  discharged  his  duties,  has  respected  without  any 
interruption  the  regulations  and  obeyed  the  elected  delegate  loyally  and 
faithfully.  Among  the  members  of  the  clubs  there  are  several  Span- 
iards, who  enjoy  the  same  rights  as  the  Cubans,  and  who  live  with  them 
in  fraternal  harmony.  This  fact  and  that  of  the  many  Spaniards  in- 
corporated into  our  army,  fully  demonstrate  that  our  revolution  is  not 
the  result  of  personal  hatred,  but  an  uprising  inspired  only  by  the 
natural  love  of  liberty  and  free  institutions.  The  war  in  Cuba  has  for  its 
only  object  the  overthrow  of  Spanish  power,  and  to  establish  an  inde- 
pendent republic,  under  whose  beneficent  laws  the  Spaniards  may  con- 
tinue to  live  side  by  side  with  the  Cubans  as  members  of  the  same  com- 


190  THE  CUBAN  JUNTA  AND  ITS  WORK. 

munity  and  citizens  of  the  same  nation.  This  is  our  programme  and  we 
strictly  adhere  to  it. 

"The  revolution  is  powerful  and  deeply  rooted  in  the  hearts  of  the 
Cuban  people,  and  there  is  no  Spanish  power,  no  power  in  the  world, 
that  can  stop  its  march.  The  war,  since  General  Weyler  took  command 
of  the  Spanish  army,  has  assumed  a  cruel  character.  His  troops  shoot 
the  Cuban  prisoners,  pursue  and  kill  the  sick  and  wounded,  assassinate 
the  unarmed,  and  burn  their  houses.  The  Cuban  troops,  on  their  part, 
destroy,  as  a  war  measure,  the  machinery  and  buildings  of  the  sugar 
plantations  and  are  firmly  resolved  not  to  leave  one  stone  upon  another 
during  their  campaign. 

"Let  those  who  can  put  an  end  to  this  war  reflect  that  our  liberty  »is 
being  gained  with  the  blood  of  thousands  of  Cuban  victims,  among 
whom  is  numbered  Jose  Marti,  the  apostle  and  martyr  of  our  revolution. 
Let  them  consider  that  before  the  sacred  memory  of  this  new  redeemer 
there  is  not  a  single  Cuban  who  will  withdraw  from  the  work  of  eman- 
cipation without  feeling  ashamed  of  abandoning  the  flag  which  on  the 
24th  of  February,  1895,  was  raised  by  the  beloved  master. 

"It  is  time  for  the  Cuban  people  to  satisfy  their  just  desire  for  a  place 
among  the  free  nations  of  the  world  and  let  them  not  be  accused  if  to 
accomplish  their  noble  purpose  they  are  obliged  to  reduce  to  ashes  the 
Cuban  land.  Tomas  Estrada  Palma." 


CHAPTER      XVIII. 
KEY  WEST  AND  THE  CUBANS. 

Cuban  Refugees  in  Key  West — Their  Devotion  to  the  Cause — Peculiarities 
of  the  Town — Odd  Sights  and  Sounds — Filibusters  and  Their  Work — 
The  First  Authorized  Expedition — It  Is  a  Failure — The  Second  More 
Successful — Landing  Supplies  for  the  Insurgents — Captain  Jose  La- 
cret,  and  Some  of  His  Adventures. 

The  island  of  Key  West  lies  sixty  miles  south  of  Cape  Sable,  the 
most  southerly  point  of  the  mainland  of  Florida,  and  is  seven  miles 
long  and  from  one  to  two  miles  broad.  The  city  covers  nearly  one-half 
of  the  island  and  has  a  population  of  about  25,000.  Key  West  has  been 
described  as  being  "to  Cuba  what  Gibraltar  is  to  Ceuta,  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  what  Gibraltar  is  to  the  Mediterranean."  It  is  one  of  the  chief 
naval  stations  of  the  United  States  and  is  strongly  fortified. 

The  most  important  industry  is  the  making  of  cigars,  which  gives 
employment  to  thousands  of  Cubans,  who  make  up  a  large  majority  of 
the  population,  and  many  of  whom  are  refugees,  charged  with  political 
crimes,  with  a  price  set  upon  their  heads.  One  of  the  moat  important 
diA'isions  of  the  Cuban  Junta  of  the  United  States  has  its  headquarters 
here.  Almost  every  Cuban  in  Key  W7est  gives  regularly  a  portion  of  his 
earnings  to  the  cause,  and  many  cargoes  of  arms, .ammunition  and  sup- 
plies have  been  sent  to  the  insurgents  by  their  brethren  on  this  little 
island. 

The  city  is  unique  in  many  respects.  It  is  made  up  of  innumerable 
little  wooden  houses,  without  chimneys,  but  crowded  in  irregular 
groups.  Many  of  the  houses  have  wooden  shutters  in  place  of  glass 
windows. 

On  most  of  the  streets  there  are  no  sidewalks,  but  people  stumble 
over  the  jagged  edges  of  coral  rock.  There  are  a  great  number  of  public 
vehicles,  and  one  can  be  hailed  at  any  corner  and  engaged  for  10  cents. 
Some  of  these  carriages  are  quite  respectable  in  appearance.  They  are 
generally  double-seated  affairs,  which  have  been  discarded  in  the  north. 
The  horses  are  wrecks,  and  they  show  by  their  appearance  that  fodder 
is  dear  and  that  they  are  not  half  fed. 


192  KEY  WEST  AND   THE  CUBANS. 

One  of  the  sounds  of  Key  West  is  the  whacking  of  the  horses  which 
draw  the  carriages  and  the  mules  which  move  the  street  cars  from  place 
to  place. 

The  street  cars  look  as  if  they  had  been  dug  up  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  pyramids.  Ropes  are  used  for  reins,  and  the  only  sub- 
stantial thing  about  the  whole  outfit  is  the  great  rawhide  whip,  with 
which  the  street-car  driver  labors  incessantly.  The  people,  as  a  rule, 
are  opposed  to  excessive  exertion,  but  they  make  an  exception  in  the 
case  of  labor  with  a  whip. 

Journalism,  Climate  and  Dogs. 

The  town  has  one  struggling  newspaper,  which  is  worthy  of  a  better 
support.  It  is  told  of  the  editor  that  he  came  to  Key  Wrest  a  barefooted 
boy  from  Georgia,  and  worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  eminent  po- 
sition of  instructor  in  etiquette  and  ethics  to  the  four  hundred. 

Hundreds  of  dogs,  cats,  roosters,  goats,  and  "razorbacks"  run  at 
large  through  the  streets,  and  the  three  former  combine  to  make  night 
hideous.  In  the  early  evening  the  sound  of  negro  meetings  and  jubila- 
tions predominates.  Then  the  cats  begin  where  the  shouters  leave  off. 
Later,  the  dogs,  sneaking  and  sore-eyed,  and  more  numerous  than  any 
other  species,  take  up  the  refrain.  They  howl  and  bark  and  keep  on 
howling  and  barking,  until  sleep  seems  impossible.  At  last,  when  the 
wakeful  man  thinks  the  row  is  over,  the  roosters,  the  meanest,  skinniest, 
loudest-mouthed  roosters  in  the  world,  continue  the  serenade  until 
death  seems  a  welcome,  especially  the  death  of  the  roosters, 

Negroes  Alone  are  Patriotic. 

There  is  a  strange  mixture  of  races  at  Key  West,  but  the  negroes  are 
the  most  patriotic  class.  They  alone  celebrate  the  Fourth  of  July  and 
other  national  holidays.  WThile  the  town  has  its  enlightened  and  re- 
spectable people,  it  also  has  a  shoddy  class,  whose  ignorance  of  the  rest 
of  the  world  carries  them  to  grotesque  extremes  in  their  efforts  to  pro- 
claim their  greatness.  • 

Even  in  its  schools  Key  West  is  peculiar.  The  schoolhouses  are 
built  like  cigar  factories,  and  each  has  mounted  upon  the  roof  the  bell 
of  an  old  locomotive.  When  the  school  bells  are  ringing  it  is  easy  to 
close  your  eyes  and  imagine  yourself  in  one  of  the  great  railway  depots 
of  the  north. 


KEY  WEST  AND   THE  CUBANS.       ,  193 

The  First  Authorized  Expedition. 

Prior  to  the  commencement  of  our  war  with  Spain  the  United  States 
authorities  kept  a  close  watch  on  the  Cubans  in  Key  West,  and  made 
every  effort  to  prevent  the  shipment  of  supplies  to  the  insurgentSw  But 
as  soon  as  the  conflict  was  begun  there  was  a  change  in  the  policy  and 
the  government  assisted  the  work  in  every  possible  way.  The  first  ex- 
pedition was  a  failure.  Under  command  of  Captain  Dorst  of  the  United 
States  army  the  transport  steamer  Gussie  sailed  from  Key  West  with 
two  companies  of  infantry,  on  board,  in  charge  of  7,000  rifles  and  300,000 
rounds  of  ammunition,  intended  for  the  insurgents  of  Pinar  del  Rio. 
The  supplies  were  to  be  conveyed  to  General  Gomez  by  a  force  of  in- 
surgents encamped  three  miles  back  from  the  coast. 

But  the  cargo  was  not  landed,  for  the  reason  that  the  insurgents 
were  unable  to  meet  the  landing  party  at  the  rendezvous,  and  Captain 
Dorst  was  compelled  to  return  to  Key  West  with  his  cargo.  The  second 
attempt  was  more  successful.  Nearly  400  men,  with  a  pack  train  and 
a  large  quantity  of  arms  and  ammunition,  sailed  on  the  Plant  line 
steamer  Florida  from  Key  West,  on  the  night  of  May  21.  These  men 
and  the  equipment  constituted  an  expedition  able  to  operate  independ- 
ently and  to  defend  itself  against  any  body  of  Spanish  troops  which 
might  oppose  it. 

The  expedition  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  Jose  Lacret, 
formerly  insurgent  commander  in  Matanzas  province.  He  assumed  the 
direction  of  affairs  immediately  on  the  landing  of  the  expedition.  Un- 
til then  General  Joaqnin  Castillo  was  in  control. 

In  the  landing  of  the  expedition  the  United  States  army  was  rep- 
resented by  Captain  J.  A.  Dorst,  and  Tomas  Estrada  Palma  was  repre- 
sented by  J.  E.  Cartaya,  who  has  been  the  landing  agent  of  nearly  every 
filibustering  expedition  for  more  than  a  year.  Messrs.  Castillo,  Cartaya 
and  Dorst  returned  to  Key  West.  General  Julio  Sanguilly,  on  his  way 
to  report  to  General  Maximo  Gomez,  was  also  on  the  boat. 

Most  Powerful  of  Them  All. 

This  was  the  most  powerful  anti-Spanish  expedition  sent  to  Cuba 
up  to  that  date.  About  300  of  the  men  were  Cubans,  the  others  Ameri- 
cans. The  engineer  corps  of  the  expedition  was  composed  entirely  of 
Americans  under  Aurelian  Ladd. 

The  men  were  dressed  in  canvas  uniforms  furnished  by  the  United 


194  KEY  WEST  AND   THE  CUBANS. 

States  government,  and  the  commissary  department  had  rations  enough 
to  last  fifteen  days  after  the  landing.  The  pack  train  consisted  of 
seventy-five  mules  and  twenty-five  horses.  The  expedition  carried  7,000 
rifles  and  3,000,000  rounds  of  ammunition  for  General  Calixto  Garcia. 

General  Sanguilly's  Return. 

General  Sanguilly's  return  to  Cuba  is  a  remarkable  incident  in  his 
extraordinary  career.  His  gallant  services  in  the  Ten  Years'  War,  his 
arrest  in  Havana  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  insurrection,  his  sen- 
tence to  death  and  his  release  at  the  intercession  of  Secretary  Sherman 
on  a  promise  to  remain  outside  of  Cuba  have  made  him  a  conspicuous 
man. 

The  expedition  was  convoyed  by  the  cruiser  Marblehead,  the  torpedo- 
boat  destroyer  Eagle  and  other  warships.  Two  younger  brothers  of 
the  late  General  Nestor  Aranguren  are  with  the  expedition. 

Some  of  Lacret's  Adventures. 

When  the  present  revolution  in  Cuba  began  General  Jos£  Lacret 
Morlot,  by  which  title  he  is  popularly  known,  secured  passage  on  the 
steamer  Mascotte  for  Jamaica  on  his  way  to  Cuba.  The  English  gov- 
ernment had  information  regarding  La,cret's  movements  and  prevented 
his  sailing  for  Cuba  from  Jamaica.  He  then  went  to  Mexico  and  later 
to  New  York.  At  the  latter  place  he  consulted  with  the  junta  and  re- 
turned to  Tampa.  Here  he  embarked  on  the  steamer  Olivette  for 
Havana  in  the  garb  of  a  priest. 

Still  in  this  disguise  he  boarded  a  train  for  Sagua  la  Grande.  Ac- 
companying him  were  a  large  number  of  Spanish  soldiers.  His  being 
highly  educated,  a  man  of  good  presence  and  a  "padre"  were  sufficient 
to  give  him  entrance  into  the  best  Spanish  society  of  Sagua  la  Grande. 
Lacret  stopped  at  the  finest  hotel,  and  when  in  the  cafe  sat  at  the  al- 
calde's right  hand. 

After  communicating  with  the  insurgents  the  "padre"  suddenly  dis- 
appeared from  the  hotel.  He  joined  the  insurgents,  and,  throwing  off 
his  priestly  disguise,  has  since  performed  valorous  service  for  the  cause 
of  Cuban  freedom.  He  was  transferred  to  the  province  of  Matanzas 
soon  after  his  arrival,  and  his  career  there  will  form  an  interesting  chap- 
ter in  the  history  of  Cuba.  From  Matanzas  province  he  was  sent  to  the 
eastward  as  a  delegate  to  the  assembly  held  in  Puerto  Principe  last 
February,  at  which  the  new  government  was  formed.  From  this  as- 


KEY  WEST  AND  THE  CUBANS.  195 

sembly  lie  was  directed  to  come  to  this  country  as  a  bearer  of  dispatches 
to  the  junta. 

When  the  Florida,  escorted  by  the  Osceola,  drew  up  close  to  the 
shore  at  the  place  selected  for  the  landing,  she  sent  scouts  to  see  if  all 
was  clear.  These  scouts  were  greeted  by  Generals  Feria  and  Rojas,  with 
about  1,500  armed  insurgents.  Therefore,  far  from  there  being  any  hos- 
tile demonstration  upon  the  part  of  the  Spaniards,  the  landing  of  the 
expedition  was  in  the  nature  of  a  triumphal  invasion.  The  Cubans,  who 
were  in  waiting  for  the  party,  had  a  brass  band  and  welcomed  the  new- 
comers with  national  airs. 

The  work  of  unloading  the  cargo  of  the  Florida  wras  promptly  begun 
and  carried  on  by  the  432  men  composing  the  expedition.  There  was 
nothing  in  the  nature  of  interruption  and  the  work  was  soon  finished. 

Had  It  All  Their  Own  Way. 

While  the  cargo  was  being  unloaded  the  Osceola,  an  auxiliary  gun- 
boat, with  her  guns  ready  for  action,  scouted  about  the  vicinity  looking 
for  an  enemy.  But  the  Spaniards  apparently  had  no  suspicion  of  what 
was  taking  place.  So  easily  was  the  dangerous  mission  accompli  shed 
that  while  some  members  of  the  party  were  getting  the  supplies  ashore 
others  were  providing  themselves  with  fruit,  sugar  and  other  products 
of  the  landing  place,  a  large  stock  of  which  was  brought  back  for  Key 
WTest  friends. 

The  moment  the  work  was  concluded  the  Florida  and  the  Osceola 
slipped  away,  leaving  the  insurgents  to  convey  their  re-enforcements 
into  the  interior,  which  was  done  without  any  casualty. 

The  returning  members  of  the  Florida  party  brought  with  them  sev- 
eral hundred  private  letters,  which  give  a  complete  insight  into  the 
conditions  prevailing  in  the  blockaded  island. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 
ANOTHER   STROKE   FOR  FREEDOM. 

The  Beginning  of  the  Revolt — Martial  Law  Declared  in  Santiago  and  Ma* 
tanzas — Arrival  of  Campos — The  Blacks  as  Soldiers — No  Caste  Preju- 
dices— General  Santocildes  Killed — A  Story  of  Maceo — Campos'  Cam- 
paign Fails — He  Returns  to  Spain. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  insurgents  to  begin  operations  in  the  six 
provinces  on  the  same  date,  but  at  the  appointed  time  three  of  them 
failed  to  carry  out  the  plan,  and  in  only  one  was  the  aspect  at  all  threat- 
ening. In  Havana  and  Matanzas  the  Spanish  officials  had  no  difficulty 
in  suppressing  the  insurrectionists,  and  the  leader  in  the  former  prov- 
ince, the  editor  of  a  newspaper,  accepted  a  pardon  and  returned  to  his 
work. 

In  Santiago,  however,  which  is  thinly  settled,  the  movement  gained 
ground  steadily.  The  landing  of  a  party  of  revolutionists  from  San 
Domingo  aroused  the  patriots,  and  were  welcomed  warmly,  being  sup- 
plied with  re-enforcements  wherever  they  appeared.  The  government 
professed  to  be  merely  annoyed,  nothing  more,  and  pretended  to  look 
upon  the  patriots  as  mere  brigands.  Calleja  became  alarmed  at  last 
when  the  determination  of  the  insurgents  became  known,  and  pro- 
claimed martial  law  in  Santiago  and  Matanzas,  and  sent  forces  to  both 
provinces.  He  could  put  only  nine  thousand  men  in  the  field,  however, 
and  had  only  seven  gunboats  for  coast  duty  at  his  command.  The 
commissary  arrangements  were  miserable,  and  frequently  caused  the 
interruption  of  important  movements.  The  insurgents  were  most  ubiq- 
uitous, and  would  appear  here  and  there  without  the  slightest  warning, 
making  raids  on  plantations,  which  they  plundered,  and  from  which 
they  enticed  away  the  laborers,  disappearing  in  the  swamps,  where  pur- 
suit was  impossible,  and  appearing  again  in  a  day  or  so  in  some  unex- 
pected spot,  and  repeating  the  same  maneuvers.  In  this  manner  they 
terrorized  the  loyalists,  and  ruined  their  prospects  of  raising  a  crop, 
and  as  many  depended  solely  upon  the  soil  for  their  living  this  method 
of  warfare  struck  them  a  vital  blow. 

At  the  end  of  March,  1895,  Antonio  Maceo,  with  sixteen  comrades, 


ANOTHER  STROKE   FOR  FREEDOM.  197 

sailed  from  Costa  Ilica  and  landed  at  Baracoa,  on  the  eastern  end  of  the 
island.  They  were  surprised  by  a  Spanish  cavalry,  but  kept  up  an 
intermittent  fight  for  several  hours,  when  Maceo  managed  to  elude  his 
enemies  and  escape.  After  living  in  the  woods  for  ten  days,  making  his 
way  westward,  he  met  a  party  of  rebels,  was  recognized  and  welcomed 
with  great  enthusiasm.  He  took  command  of  the  insurgents  in  the 
neighborhood  and  began  to  get  recruits  rapidly.  He  engaged  in  sev- 
eral sharp  encounters  with  the  Spanish  and  did  such  effective  service 
that  the  moral  effect  was  noticed  immediately.  He  and  his  brother 
Jose  were  made  generals. 

About  the  middle  of  April  Maximo  Gomez  and  Jose  Marti  landed 
from  San  Domingo  at  about  the  same  point  where  the  Maceos  had 
landed.  For  days  they  were  obliged  to  secrete  themselves  in  a  cave  on 
account  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy's  pickets,  but  they  finally  reached 
an  insurgent  camp,  and  Gomez  entered  upon  his  duties  as  commander- 
in-chief.  The  insurgents  now  had  an  experienced  leader  at  their  head, 
re-enforcements  poured  in,  and  they  soon  had  a  force  of  six  thousand 
men. 

Arrival   of  Campos. 

The  government  had  issued  new  calls  for  troops,  and  in  April  no  less 
than  twenty-five  thousand  men  were  raised.  Martinez  Campos  came 
over  from  Spain,  arriving  at  Santiago  on  April  16,  and  went  at  once  to 
Havana,  where  he  relieyed  Calleja  as  captain-general.  Campos  was  a 
veteran,  and  expected  to  crush  the  insurrection  at  once,  but  day  by  day 
his  task  grew  more  difficult. 

Gomez  and  Maceo,  instead  of  being  driven  hither  and  thither,  led 
Campos  a  dance,  and  he  was  prevented  from  solidifying  the  two  trochas 
he  had  formed.  Gomez  never  attempted  pitched  battles  or  sieges,  but 
harassed  the  enemy  in  every  way  possible,  cutting  off  their  convoys, 
picking  them  off  in  detail,  getting  up  night  alarms,  and  in  every  way 
annoying  them.  His  hardened  soldiers,  especially  the  negroes,  could 
stand  hardships  and  still  keep  in  good  fighting  condition,  but  with  the 
Europeans,  what  between  yellow  fever  and  the  constant  alarms  of  war, 
it  was  a  different  story.  No  European  soldier  could  live  under  the  hard- 
ships and  exposures  which  seemed  to  put  life  into  the  negro  soldiers. 

No   Caste  Prejudices. 

It  must  be  understood  that  there  is  no  caste  feeling  between  the 
negro  and  the  pure-blooded  Cuban.  They  march,  eat  and  sleep  side 


198  ANOTHER  STROKE   FOR  FREEDOM. 

by  side.  Moreover,  the  negroes  make  excellent  soldiers,  with  finer 
physique  than  the  Cubans  themselves,  and  equal  powers  of  endurance. 

The  Cuban  is  small  in  stature  compared  to  the  American  soldier, 
but  he  is  well  set  up,  wiry,  and  apparently  has  unlimited  staying 
powers.  He  frequently  lives  on  one  meal  a  day,  and  that  a  poor  one, 
but  he  shows  no  signs  whatever  of  being  ill-fed;  in  fact,  he  seems  to 
thrive  on  it,  and  he  has  an  uncomfortable  habit  of  marching  six  hours 
in  the  morning  on  an  empty  stomach,  which  would  be  fatal  to  the  or- 
dinary Anglo-Saxon. 

About  the  first  of  July,  Maceo,  still  in  the  province  of  Santiago,  con- 
centrated the  forces  in  the  Holguin  district  and  moved  against  Bayamo, 
capturing  one  provision  train  after  another  that  were  en  route  to  that 
place.  Campos  took  fifteen  hundred  men,  with  General  Santocildes  sec- 
ond in  command,  and  went  to  the  relief  of  Bayamo.  About  the  middle 
of  July  he  was  attacked  several  miles  from  Bayamo  by  Maceo  with 
twenty-seven  hundred  rebels.  He  and  his  entire  staff  narrowly  escaped 
capture,  and  only  the  bravery  of  General  Santocildes  averted  this  catas- 
trophe. The  brave  general  lost  his  life  and  the  Spaniards  were  forced 
to  fly,  after  having  fought  for  five  hours,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the 
rebels.  They  finally  made  their  escape  to  Bayamo,  the  rear  guard  cov- 
ering their  retreat  with  great  difficulty. 

Flor  Crombet  had  fallen  in  battle  several  wreeks  before  this  fight 
and  Marti  had  been  killed  in  an  insignificant  fight  at  Dos  Rios.  Gomez 
had  passed  into  Camaguay  to  add  fire  to  the  insurrection  and  Maceo 
had  been  left  in  command  in  the  province  of  Santiago.  To  him  was 
Campos  indebted  for  his  defeat.  He  escaped  capture  as  if  by  intuition. 
A  new  snare  had  been  spread  for  him  by  Maceo  after  the  death  of  Santo- 
cildes, and  he  was  already  within  its  meshes,  when,  intuitively  divining 
the  situation,  he  came  to  an  about  face  and  fled  to  Bayamo  by  an  unused 
road,  covered  by  impassable  thickets  in  the  rear  of  Maceo's  victorious 
troops. 

The  Spaniards  were  rapidly  re-enforced  after  the  escape  to  Bayamo, 
and  Maceo,  with  Quintin  Bandero,  began  to  fall  back  to  his  impregnable 
mountain  retreat  at  Jarahuica.  This  was  in  the  heart  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba,  over  a  hundred  miles  east  of  Bayamo  and  twenty-five  miles  north- 
east of  the  port  of  Santiago.  His  war-worn  army  needed  rest,  recruits, 
and  supplies.  Once  in  his  mountain  fastness,  he  was  perfectly  secure, 
as  no  Spanish  army  would  trust  itself  in  the  rocky  range.  News  of  his 
movements  had  reached  Santiago  .and  a  strenuous  effort  was  being 


ANOTHER  STROKE   FOR  FREEDOM.  199 

made  to  head  him  off  at  San  Luis,  a  railroad  town  fifteen  miles  north- 
west of  that  city.  Nothing,  however,  escaped  the  observation  of  the 
Cuban  general.  With  wonderful  prescience  he  anticipated  .the  move- 
ments of  the  Spaniards.  His  troopers  were  armed  with  machetes  and 
the  infantry  with  rifles  and  ammunition  captured  at  Paralejo.  Bandera 
commanded  this  band  of  blacks.  The  march  had  been  terrific,  and 
horses  and  men  were  nearly  fagged.  With  sparse  supplies  the  pace 
had  been  kept  up  for  hours.  The  sun  had  gone  down  and  the  moon 
was  flooding  the  fronds  of  the  palms  with  pale,  silvery  light.  Maceo 
held  a  short  conference  with  Quintin  Bandera,  and  not  long  afterward 
the  blacks  wheeled  in  column  and  disappeared. 

Meantime  the  Cuban  cavalry  continued  its  course.  By  midnight  it 
had  reached  Cemetery  Hill,  overlooking  the  town  of  San  Luis.  The 
moon  was  half  way  down  the  sky.  Maceo  sat  upon  his  horse  surveying 
the  scene  below  him  long  and  silently.  The  little  town  was  aglow  with 
electric  lights  and  the  whistle  of  locomotives  resounded  in  the  valley. 
Over  three  thousand  Spanish  troops  were  quartered  in  the  town  and 
their  movements  were  plainly  discernible.  Trains  were  arriving  hourly 
from  Santiago,  bearing  strong  re-enforcements.  Through  a  field-glass 
Maceo  watched  the  stirring  scene.  He  turned  the  glass  beyond  the 
town  and  gazed  through  it  patiently,  betraying  a  trace  of  anxiety.  Final- 
ly he  alighted  and  conferred  with  Colonel  Miro,  his  chief  of  staff.  A 
moment  afterward  came  the  order  to  dismount.  Three  hundred  troop- 
ers obeyed  and  were  about  to  tether  their  horses  when  they  were  called 
to  attention.  A  second  order  reached  their  ears.  They  were  told  to 
stand  motionless,  with  both  feet  on  the  ground,  and  to  await  further 
orders  with  their  right  hands  on  their  saddles.  In  the  moonlight  be- 
neath the  scattered  palms  they  stood  as  silent  as  if  petrified. 

A   Story  of  Maceo. 

Among  them  there  was  a  newspaper  correspondent  who  had  known 
Maceo  many  years,  and  who  had  parted  with  him  at  Port  Limon,  in 
Central  America,  a  few  months  before.  He  had  joined  the  column  just 
after  the  battle  of  Paralejo.  In  obedience  to  orders  he  stood  with  his 
arm  over  the  back  of  his  horse,  blinking  at  the  enlivening  scene  below 
him.  Exhausted  by  the  day's  march,  his  eyes  closed  and  he  fourd  it 
impossible  to  keep  awake.  A  moment  later  he  fastened  the  bridle  to 
his  foot,  wrapped  himself  in  his  rubber  coat,  placed  a  satchel  under  his 
head,  and  fell  asleep  in  the  wet  grass.  The  adjutant  soon  awoke  him, 


200  ANOTHER   STROKE   FOK  FREEDOM. 

telling  him  that  he  had  better  get  up,  as  they  were  going  to  have  a  fight. 
He  thanked  the  adjutant,  who  told  him  there  were  over  three  thousand 
Spanish  soldiers  in  San  Luis  and  that  it  was  surrounded  with  fourteen 
blockhouses.  The  correspondent  soon  curled  himself  on  the  grass  a 
second  time  and  was  in  a  sound  slumber,  when  he  was  again  aroused 
by  the  adjutant,  who  told  him  he  was  in  positive  danger  if  he  persisted 
in  disobeying  the  order  of  General  Maceo.  A  third  time  his  heavy  eye- 
lids closed  and  he  was  in  a  dead  sleep,  when  startled  by  a  peremptory 
shake.  Jesus  Mascons,  Maceo's  secretary,  stood  over  him.  "Get  up 
this  instant,"  said  he.  "The  general  wants  to  see  you  immediately." 

In  a  few  seconds  the  correspondent  was  on  his  feet.  The  whistles 
were  still  blowing  and  the  electric  lights  still  glowing  in  the  valley,  and 
the  moon  was  on  the  horizon.  He  went  forward  in  some  trepidation, 
fancying  that  the  general  was  going  to  upbraid  him  for  disobeying  his 
orders.  He  was  surprised  to  find  him  very  pleasant.  Maceo  always 
spoke  in  a  low  tone,  as  he  had  been  shot  twice  through  the  lungs. 

"Are  you  not  hungry?"  he  asked. 

"No,"  the  correspondent  replied,  wondering  what  was  in  the  wind. 

"I  thought  possibly  you  might  want  something  to  eat,"  General  Maceo 
said,  with  a  smile.  "I  have  a  boiled  egg  here  and  I  want  to  divide  it 
with  you."  As  he  uttered  these  words  he  drew  out  his  machete  and  cut 
the  egg  straight  through  the  center.  Passing  half  of  it  to  the  corre- 
spondent, he  said:  "Share  it;  it  will  do  you  good."  The  newspaper 
man  thanked  the  general  and  they  ate  the  egg  in  silence.  He  said  after- 
ward that  the  incident  reminded  him  of  General  Marion's  breakfast 
with  a  British  officer.  He  had  read  the  incident  in  Peter  Parley's  his- 
tory of  the  revolution,  when  a  schoolboy.  Marion  raked  a  baked  sweet 
potato  out  of  the  ashes  of  a  camp  fire  and  divided  it  with  his  British 
guest.  The  officer  regretted  the  absence  of  salt,  and  the  correspondent 
said  he  experienced  the  same  regret  when  he  ate  his  portion  of  General 
Maceo's  egg. 

After  munching  the  egg  both  men  sat  for  some  time  observing  the 
stirring  scene  in  the  valley  below  them.  The  moon  had  gone  down,  but 
in  the  glow  of  the  electric  lights  they  could  see  that  the  activity  among 
the  Spaniards  was  as  great  as  ever.  Suddenly  Maceo  turned  to  the 
correspondent  and  said  abruptly:  "Were  you  asleep  when  Jesus  called 
you?" 

"Oh,  no,"  the  correspondent  replied,  "I  was  not  asleep;  I  was  only 
just  tired — that  was  all." 


BLANCO— GOVERNORxGENERAL  OF  CUBA 
Generally  known  as  the  softest-hearted  soldier  in  Spain 


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ANOTHER  STROKE  FOR  FREEDOM.  203 

The  general  looked  at  him  searchingly  and.  then  said:  "Don't  worry; 
it  is  all  right.  We  are  going  through  that  town  in  a  few  minutes.  There 
may  be  a  fierce  fight,  and  you  will  need  a  clear  head.  The  egg  will  give 
you  strength." 

Within  twenty  minutes  the  little  columns  of  three  hundred  men 
were  on  the  move.  They  led  their  horses  down  the  hill  a,bout  an  hour 
before  daybreak,  with  the  general  in  the  lead.  Silently  and  stealthily 
they  entered  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  The  columns  passed  two  block- 
houses without  being  observed  and  at  the  break  of  day  were  beyond  the 
town  on  the  main  road  to  Banabacoa,  Meantime  the  Spaniards  had 
discovered  them.  The  town  was  aroused  and  a  hundred  and  fifty  Span- 
ish cavalry  headed  the  pursuit.  The  road  wound  through  fields  of 
cane.  A  strong  column  of  Spanish  infantry  followed  the  cavalry. 
Maceo  held  his  men  in  reserve  and  continued  his  march,  the  Spanish 
troopers  trailing  after  them  like  so  many  wildcats. 

Suddenly,  to  their  astonishment,  Quintin  Bandera's  infantry  arose 
on  either  side  of  the  road  and  almost  annihilated  the  pursuing  column. 
Those  who  escaped  alarmed  the  columns  of  infantry,  who  returned  to 
San  Luis  to  fortify  themselves.  Maceo  and  Bandera  camped  on  the 
estate  of  Mejorana,  about  six  miles  away.  It  was  here  that  Marti, 
Gomez,  the  two  Maceos,  Crombet,  Guerra,  and  Rabi  met  not  long  before 
this  to  inaugurate  the  new  revolution.  Bandera  and  Maceo  found 
plenty  of  provisions  at  the  estate,  but  no  bread.  A  small  Cuban  boy 
was  sent  to  the  Spanish  commander  at  San  Luis  with  a  note  requesting 
him  to  be  so  kind  as  to  send  some  bread  to  visitors  at  the  Mejorana  plan- 
tation. The  boy  delivered  the  note  and  the  Spanish  commander  asked 
who  sent  him.  Without  a  moment's  hesitation  he  replied:  "General 
Maceo."  The  Spanish  official  laughed  and  replied:  "Very  well,  a  sup- 
ply of  bread  will  be  sent.  It  will  not  be  necessary  for  Maceo  to  come 
after  it."  What  is  more  remarkable  is  the  fact  that  Maceo  told  the 
correspondent  beforehand  that  the  bread  would  be  sent,  as  the  Span- 
iards had  been  so  frightened  by  Bandera  on  the  previous  day  that  they 
did  not  want  to  invite  another  attack.  That  very  evening  the  boy  re- 
turned, conveying  many  bags  of  bread.  The  Spaniards  remained  withi  a 
the  town  until  Maceo  had  rested  his  army  and  departed  for  Jarahuica. 

Campos'  Campaign  Fails. 

Before  the  end  of  the  year  Campos'  campaign  was  admitted  to  be  a 

failure.     He  could  not  depart  from  his  humane  policy,  however,  and  at 
11 


204  ANOTHER  STROKE   FOR   FREEDOM. 

the  beginning  of  the  year  1896  he  returned  to  Spain.  The  rabid 
Spaniards  of  Havana,  having  compelled  Campos  to  tender  his  resigna- 
tion, demanded  from  Canovas  a  captain-general  framed  in  the  old 
iron  cast  of  the  Spanish  conquerors,  not  to  fight  battles  and  risk  his  life 
in  the  field,  but  to  exterminate  the  native  population.  In  their  belief, 
women,  children,  everyone  born  in  Cuba,  should  be  held  responsible  for 
the  situation.  They  did  not  like  a  soldier  with  a  gallant  career  and 
personal  courage.  They  wanted  an  executioner.  Canovas  satisfied 
them  and  appointed  Don  Valeriano  Weyler  y  Nicolau  to  succeed  Mar- 
tinez Campos. 

The  question  may  be  asked  why  the  insurgents  after  so  many  vic- 
tories did  not  invest  the  city  of  Havana,  and  end  therewith  the  Spanish 
dominion.  The  answer  is  very  clear.  After  the  battle  of  Coliseo 
General  Gomez  reviewed  his  troops  and  found  that  each  soldier  had 
only  three  cartridges.  The  Cubans  in  the  United  States  were  making 
vain  efforts  to  send  a  big  expedition  to  the  insurgents,  but  the  policy 
of  our  government  was  non-interference,  and  they  were  checked  in  their 
plans.  At  Guira  de  Melena,  on  January  4,  1896,  the  Cubans  had  to 
fight  with  their  machetes  to  enter  the  Province  of  Havana. 

If  history  does  not  afford  a  parallel  of  the  stern  resolution  displayed 
by  the  Cubans  to  die  or  to  win  in  a  struggle  with  all  the  odds  against 
them,  neither  does  it  present  a  case  of  stubborn  resistance  to  justice 
and  human  rights,  and  of  barbarous  cruelty,  which  equals  the  record  of 
Spain  in  Cuba. 


CHAPTEK  XX. 

JOSE  MARTI  AND  OTHER  CUBAN  HEROES. 

A  Cuban  Patriot — A  Life  Devoted  to  the  Cause — First  Work  for  Cuba — 
Banished  From  His  Native  Land — He  Returns  to  Fight  for  Freedom 
— His  Death — Maximo  Gomez,  General-in-Chief  of  the  Cuban  Forces — 
His  Methods  of  Warfare — Antonio  Maceo,  the  Colored  Commander — 
Other  Military  Men  of  Note  in  the  Cuban  Army. 

When  the  day  comes  that  Cuba  shall  take  her  place  among  the 
free  and  independent  nations  of  the  earth,  Jos6  Marti,  who  probably 
did  more  than  any  other  one  man  to  arouse  the  insurgents  to  make 
the  final  struggle  for  liberty,  will  not.be  among  them  to  share  their 
triumphs.  Struck  down  by  a  Spanish  bullet,  almost  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  last  revolution,  he  sleeps  beneath  the  southern  skies,  and 
neither  the  clash  of  swords  nor  the  thunder  of  the  cannon  over  his 
grave  can  distrub  his  rest.  , 

Born  in  Havana,  the  son  of  a  Spanish  army  officer,  he  was  taught 
from  his  childhood  days  that  the  friends  of  Cuba's  caiuse  were  rebels, 
deserving  of  death.  But  as  he  grew  older  he  commenced  to  think  for 
himself,  and  the  more  he  learned  of  Spanish  robbery,  injustice  and 
cruelty,  the  more  determined  he  became  to  devote  his  life  to  the  cause 
of  his  native  land. 

While  yet  a  mere  boy,  he  began  the  work.  He  published  clan- 
destine circulars,  he  wrote  a  play  in  which  he  depicted  the  wrongs 
inflicted  upon  the  island  people;  "Free  Cuba"  was  his  thought  by  day, 
his  dream  at  night.  Through  imprisonment  and  exile,  in  Spain,  Mex- 
ico and  the  United  States,  every  action  of  his  life  was  guided  by  the 
one  ambition. 

On  April  14th,  1895,  in  company  with  Maximo  Gomez,  Marti 
landed  on  the  coast  of  Cuba,  at  Cobonico.  His  coming  gave  the  insur- 
gents new  courage,  and  their  numbers  increased  rapidly.  He  was 
made  a  Major  General  of  the  army,  and  in  company  with  Gomez,  who 
had  seen  service  in  the  previous  campaign,  he  led  a  number  of  suc- 
cessful attacks  against  detachments  of  the  Spanish  forces. 

205 


206  JOSE  MAKTI  AND   OTHER   CUBAN   HEROES. 

After  organizing  an  expedition  that  was  to  march  to  Puerto  Prin- 
cipe under  Gomez's  command,  Marti  intended  to  go  to  the  seacoast  in 
order  to  return  abroad  and  continue  his  work  there  in  favor  of  the 
secessionist  revolution. 

About  this  time  a  man  named  Chacon  was  captured  by  Colonel 
Sandoval,  of  the  Spanish  forces,  and  letters  from  the  rebels  were  found 
in  his  possession,  and  some  money  with  which  he  was  going  to  make 
purchases  for  the  insurgent  chiefs.  This  man  gave  information  re- 
garding the  enemy's  location,  and  acting  upon  this  knowledge,  Colonel 
Sandoval,  on  the  19th  of  May,  brought  his  army  to  La  Brija,  The 
Hernan  Oortez  squadron,  under  Captain  Capa,  was  in  vanguard,  and 
attacked  a  band  commanded  by  Bellito,  which  had  come  to  meet  the 
column. 

When  Colonel  Sandoval  heard  of  it,  he  advanced,  up  to  the  plain 
of  Dos  Rios,  and  ordered  his  infantry  to  open  fire.  A  spirited  combat 
ensued,  with  fatal  results  to  the  insurgents,  as  the  Spanish  guide, 
Antonio  Oliva,  running  up  to  help  a  soldier  who  was  surrounded  by 
a  large  group  of  the  enemy,  fired  his  rifle  at  a  horseman,  who  fell  to 
the  ground,  and  was  found  to  be  Jos£  Marti.  Captain  Enrique  Satue 
was  the  first  to  recognize  him.  A  fight  took  place  upon  the  spot,  the 
rebels  trying  hard  to  carry  the  corpse  away,  but  they  were  repulsed. 
Maximo  Gomez  was  wounded  in  the  encounter,  which  for  some  days 
led  to  the  belief  that  he  too  was  dead.  According  to  one  narrative, 
Gomez  was  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  from  the  beginning,  and  while 
hurrying  to  recover  the  corpse  of  Marti,  he  was  slightly  wounded. 
Others  say  that  the  famous  chief,  had  already  taken  leave  of  Marti  to 
go  to  Camaguey,  when,  passing  at  some  distance  from  Dos  Rios,  he 
heard  the  report  of  musketry.  He  imagined  what  was  happening, 
and  ran  to  rescue  the  civil  chief  of  the  revolution,  but  when  he  airived, 
Marti  had  been  killed.  Gomez  being  wounded,  Borrero  took  him  on 
his  own  horse,  and  in  this  manner  carried  him  to  a  place  of  safety.  The 
Spaniards,  after  their  victory,  moved  to  Remanganagaus,  where  the 
corpse  of  Marti  was  embalmed.  From  the  latter  town  it  was  taken 
to  Santiago  de  Cuba,  and  while  on  the  way  there,  the  troops  had  to 
repel  an  attack  from  the  rebels,  who  intended  to  carry  off  the  coffin. 
On  arriving  at  the  city,  the  remains  of  Marti  were  exhibited  at  the 
cemetery.  Colonel  Sandoval  presided  over  the  funeral  ceremonies,, 
and  the  dead  leader  was  given  a  decent  resting  place.  Here  are  San- 
doval's  words  on  the  occasion: 


JOSE  MARTI  AND   OTHER   CUBAN   HEROES.  207 

Gentlemen: — In  presence  of  the  corpse  of  him  who  in  life  was  Jose 
Marti,  and  in  the  absence  of  any  relative  or  friend  who  might  speak  over  his 
remains  such  words  as  are  customary,  I  request  you  not  to  consider  these 
remains  to  be  those  of  an  enemy  any  more,  but  simply  those  of  a  man,  car- 
ried by  political  discords  to  face  Spanish  soldiers.  From  the  moment  the 
spirits  have  freed  themselves  of  matter  they  are  sheltered  and  magnanimously 
pardoned  by  the  Almighty,  and  the  abandoned  matter  is  left  in  our  care,  for 
us  to  dispel  all  rancorous  feelings,  and  give  the  corpse  such  Christian  burial 
as  is  due  to  the  dead. 

Maximo  Gomez,  the  General-in-Chief.  t" 

The  General-in-Chief  of  the  Cuban  forces  is  Maximo  Gomez,  a  man 
of  scholarly  attainments,  great  intellect,  and  long  experience  in  mili- 
tary affairs.  Formerly  an  officer  of  Spain,  he  explains  his  present  posi- 
tion in  the  following  words: 

"When  I  gave  up,  in  1868,  my  uniform  and  rank  as  a  Major  of  the 
Spanish  Army,  it  was  because  I  knew  that  if  I  kept  them  I  would  have 
some  day  to  meet  my  own  children  in  the  field,  and  combat  against 
their  just  desire  for  liberty.  Now,  with  my  many  years,  I  have  come  to 
lead  and  counsel  the  new  generation  to  ultimate  victory." 

Of  his  methods  in  war,  Thomas  Alvord  says: 

"General  Gomez  never  has  more  than  300  or  400  men  with  him. 
His  favorite  camp  is  near  Arroyo  Blanco,  on  a  high  plateau,  difficult 
to  approach,  and  covered  with  dense  thicket.  He  posts  his  outer  pick- 
ets at  least  three  miles  away,  in  directions  from  which  the  enemy 
may  come.  The  Spaniards,  whenever  possible,  march  by  road,  and, 
with  these  highways  well  guarded,  Gomez  sleeps  secure.  He  knows 
that  his  pickets  will  be  informed  by  some  Cuban  long  before  the  Span- 
ish column  leaves  or  passes  the  nearest  village  to  attack  him.  A  shot 
from  the  farthest  sentry  causes  little  or  no  excitement  in  Gomez's 
camp.  The  report  throws  the  Spanish  column  into  fears  of  attack  or 
ambush,  and  it  moves  forward  very  slowly  and  carefully.  Two  pick- 
ets at  such  a  time  have  been  known  to  hold  2,000  men  at  bay  for  a 
whole  day.  If  the  column  presses  on,  and  General  Gomez  hears  a 
shot  from  a  sentinel  near  by,  he  will  rise  leisurely  from  his  hammock 
and  give  orders  to  prepare  to  move  camp.  He  has  had  so  many  expe- 
riences of  this  kind  that  not  until  he  hears  the  volley-shooting  of  the 
oncoming  Spaniards  will  he  call  for  his  horse,  give  the  word  to  march, 
and  disappear,  followed  by  his  entire  force,  into  the  tropical  under- 
brush, which  closes  like  curtain  behind  him,  leaving  the  Spaniards  to 


208  JOSE  MARTI  AND   OTHER   CUBAN   HEROES. 

discover  a  deserted  camp,  without  the  slightest  trace  of  the  path  taken 
by  its  recent  occupants. 

"Sometimes  Gomez  will  move  only  a  mile  or  two.  The  Spaniards 
do  not  usually  give  chase.  If  they  do,  Gomez  takes  a  keen  delight  in 
leading  them  in  a  circle.  If  he  can  throw  them  off  by  nightfall,  he 
goes  to  sleep  in  his  camp  of  the  morning,  happier  than  if  he  had  won 
a  battle.  The  Spaniards  learn  nothing  through  such  experiences. 
Gomez  varies  the  game  occasionally  by  marching  directly  towards  the 
rear  of  the  foe,  and  there,  reinforced  by  other  insurgent  bands  of  the 
neighborhood,  falling  upon  the  column  and  punishing  it  severely. 
While  his  immediate  force  is  but  a  handful,  the  General  can  call  to 
his  aid,  in  a  short  time,  nearly  6,000  men." 

A  Colored  Commander. 

As  soon  as  the  rebellion  had  assumed  such  proportions  as  to  make 
it  possible  to  arrange  a  regular  military  organization  among  the  insur- 
gents, Antonio  Maceo  was  made  the  second  in  command,  under  Gen- 
eral Gomez,  with  the  title  of  Lieutenant  General.  He  had  risen  from 
the  ranks  to  the  position  of  Major  General  in  the  Ten  Years'  war, 
where,  notwithstanding  his  colored  blood,  he  had  shown  unusual  abil- 
ity as  a  leader  of  men.  Sons  of  the  first  families  of  Cuba  were  proud 
to  enlist  under  his  banner,  and  to  recognize  him  as  their  superior 
officer.  Space  is  devoted  in  another  part  of  this  volume  to  an  account 
of  the  treacherous  manner  of  his  death. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  him  to  General  Weyler,  soon  after 
the  arrival  of  the  latter  named  in  Cuba,  shows  that  he  could  fight  with 
his  pen  as  well  as  with  his  sword: 

Republic  of  Cuba,  Invading  Army, 

Second  Corps,  Cayajabos,  Feb.  27,  189G. 
General  Valeriano  Weyler,  Havana: 

In  spite  of  all  that  the  press  has  published  in  regard  to  you,  I  have  never 
been  willing  to  give  it  belief  and  to  base  my  judgment  of  your  conduct  on  its 
statements;  such  an  accumulation  of  atrocities,  so  many  crimes  repugnant 
and  dishonoring  to  any  man  of  honor,  I  thought  it  impossible  for  a  soldier 
holding  your  high  rank  to  commit. 

These  accusations  seemed  to  me  rather  to  be  made  in  bad  faith,  or  to  be 
the  utterances  of  personal  enmity,  and  I  expected  that  you  would  take  care  to 
give  the  lie  in  due  form  to  your  detractors,  rising  to  the  height  required  of  a 
gentleman,  and  saving  yourself  from  any  imputation  of  that  kind,  by  merely 

* 


JOSE  MARTI  AND   OTHER  CUBAN   HEROES.  209' 

adopting  in  the  treatment  of  the  wounded  and  prisoners  of  war,  the  generous 
course  that  has  been  pursued  from  the  beginning  by  the  revolutionists 
towards  the  Spanish  wounded  and  prisoners. 

But,  unfortunately,  Spanish  dominion  must  always  be  accompanied  by 
infamy,  and  although  the  errors  and  wrongful  acts  of  the  last  war  seemed 
to  be  corrected  at  the  beginning  of  this  one,  to-day  it  has  become  manifest 
that  it  was  only  by  closing  our  eyes  to  invariable  personal  antecedents  and 
incorrigible  traditional  arbitrariness  that  we  could  have  imagined  Spain 
would  forget  forever  her  fatal  characteristic  of  ferocity  towards  the  defense- 
less. But  we  cannot  help  believing  evidence.  In  my  mareh  during  the  period 
of  this  campaign  I  see  with  alarm,  with  horror,  how  the  wretched  reputation 
you  enjoy  is  confirmed,  and  how  the  deeds  that  disclose  your  barbarous  irri- 
tation are  repeated.  What!  must  even  the  peaceful  inhabitants  (I  say  noth- 
ing of  the  wounded  and  prisoners  of  war),  must  they  be  sacrificed  te  the  rage 
that  gave  the  Duke  of  Alva  his  name  and  fame? 

Is  it  thus  that  Spain,  through  you,  returns  the  elemency  and  kindness 
with  whick  we,  the  redeemers  of  this  suffering  people,  have  acted  in  like  cir- 
cumstances? What  a  reproach  for  yourself  and  for  Spain!  The  license  t® 
burn  the  huts,  assassinations  like  those  at  Nueva  Paz  and  the  villa  El  (Jato, 
committed  by  Spanish  columns,  in  particular  those  of  Colonels  Molina  and 
Vicuna,  proclaim  you  guilty  before  all  mankind.  Your  name  will  be  forever 
infamous,  here  and  far  from  here,  remembered  with  disgust  and  korror. 

Out  of  humanity,  yielding  to  the  honorable  and  generous  impulses  which 
are  identified  with  both  the  spirit  and  the  tendency  of  the  revolution,  I  shall 
never  use  reprisals  that  would  be  unworthy  of  the  reputation  and  the  power 
of  the  liberating  army  of  Cuba.  But  I  nevertheless  foresee  that  such  abom- 
inable conduct  on  your  part  and  on  that  of  your  men,  will  arouse  at  no  dis- 
tant time  private  vengeances  to  which  they  will  falJ  victims,  without  my 
being  able  to  prevent  it,  even  though  I  should  punish  hundreds  of  innoeent 
persons. 

For  this  last  reason,  since  war  should  only  touch  combatants,  and  it  is 
inhuman  to  'make  others  suffer  from  its  consequences,  I  invite  you  to  retrace 
your  steps,  if  you  admit  your  guilt,  or  to  repress  these  crimes  with  a  heavy 
hand,  if  they  were  committed  without  your  consent.  At  all  events,  take  care 
that  no  drop  of  blood  be  shed  outside  the  battle  field.  Be  merciful  to  the 
many  unfortunate  citizens.  In  so  doing  you  will  imitate  in  honorable  emula- 
tion our  conduct  and  our  proceedings.  Yours,  A.  MACEO. 

This  letter  could  have  been  written  by  none  but  a  brave  and  honor- 
able soldier,  resolved  to  present  the  cause  of  the  oppressed  non-com- 
batants, even  when  he  probably  knew  that  his  appeal  was  powerless 
to  lessen  their  sufferings  in  the  slightest  degree. 


210  JOSE  MARTI  AND   OTHER  CUBAN   HEROES. 

Love  and  War. 

Among  the  many  brave  leaders  of  the  insurgents  there  is  perhaps 
none  who  has  shown  more  heroism  than  young  De  Robau.  After  the 
breaking  out  of  the  revolution  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  join  the  stand- 
ard of  independence.  At  that  time  he  was  engaged  to  be  married,  yet 
with  him  the  call  of  duty  was  paramount  over  every  selfish  considera- 
tion. After  having  served  for  some  months  with  conspicuous  credit, 
he  was  sent  with  his  command  into  the  neighborhood  of  his  fiance". 

The  men  hitherto,  it  may  be  imagined,  had  not  paid  much  atten- 
tion to  their  appearance,  but  now  there  was  a  regular  conventional 
dress  parade.  A  barber  was  requisitioned,  accoutrements  were  fur- 
bished up,  and  weather-beaten  sombreros  were  ornamented  with  bril- 
liant ribbons.  When  the  metamorphosis  was  complete,  De  Robau 
placed  himself  at  the  head  of  his  dashing  troop,  and  went  in  state  to 
call  upon  the  lady  of  his  affections. 

His  march  was  a  triumph,  as  everywhere  he  was  attended  by 
crowds  of  enthusiastic  people,  who  had  long  known  him,  and  who 
now  hailed  him  as  a  distinguished  champion.  How  he  sped  in  his 
wooing  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  an  orderly  was  soon  dis- 
patched for  the  villa  cura,  and  that  there  was  a  wedding  which  fairly 
rivaled  that  of  Camacho,  so  often  and  so  fondly  recalled  by  the  re- 
nowned Sancho.  Since  then  the  Senora  de  Robau  has  accompanied 
her  husband  throughout  the  campaign,  sharing  the  hard  fare  and  the 
dangers  of  the  men,  and  adding  another  to  the  noble  band  of  patriotic 
Cuban  women,  who  vie  with  their  husbands  and  brothers  in  fidelity  to 
their  native  land.  * 

Other  Commanders  of  Note 

The  cause  has  many  other  brave  leaders,  among  whom  may  be 
mentioned  General  Oalixto  Garcia,  General  Serafin  Sanchez,  Fran- 
cisco Corrillo,  and  Jose  Maria  Rodriguez.  They  are  all  veterans  of  the 
war  of  1868-1878,  and  are  ready  to  sacrifice  their  lives  in  the  struggle 
for  liberty. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
DESPERATE  BATTLES  WITH  MACHETE  AND  RIFLE. 

The  Sword  of  Cuba — Battle  Cry  of  the  Revolutionists — Cavalry  Charges — 
The  Strategies  of  War — Hand-to-Hand  Encounters — Maceo  at  the 
•Front — Barbarities  of  the  Spanish  Soldiers — Americans  in  the  Cuban 
Army — A  Fight  for  Life — A  Yankee  Gunner — How  a  Brave  Man  Died. 

There  is  a  story  told  of  a  great  Roman  General  who,  after  having 
conquered  in  many  battles,  beat  his  sword  into  a  plowshare,  and 
turned  from  war's  alarms  to  the  peaceful  pursuit  of  agriculture.  The 
Cuban  has  reversed  the  story.  When  he  left  his  labors  in  the  forests 
and  fields  to  fight  his  oppressors,  he  carried  with  him  the  implement 
with  which  he  had  cut  the  sugar  cane  on  Ms  plantation,  and  made 
paths  through  dense  tropic  vegetation.  The  machete  is  the  sword 
of  the  Cuban  soldier,  and  it  will  be  famous  forever.  Its  blade  is  of 
tempered  steel,  curved  slightly  at  the  end,  with  one  edge  sharp  as  a 
razor.  It  has  a  handle  of  horn,  and  is  carried  in  a  leather  scabbard, 
attached  to  a  narrow  belt. 

The  weapon  in  the  hands  of  one  who  understands  its  use  is  terribly 
effective.  Instances  have  been  known  where  rifle  barrels  have  been 
cut  in  two  by  it,  and  heads  have  been  severed  from  their  bodies  at  a 
single  stroke.  Its  name,  shrieked  in  a  wild  ferocious  way,  is  the  bat- 
tle cry  of  the  insurgents,  and  when  shouted  from  an  hundred  throats, 
it  carries  with  it  so  awe-inspiring  a  sound,  that  it  is  little  wonder  that 
the  enemy  is  stricken  with  fear,  for  it  means  in  reality  "war  to  the 
knife." 

Cavalry  Charges. 

The  Cubans  are  among  the  most  skillful  and  daring  rough  riders 
of  the  world,  the  equals  of  the  cowboys  of  our  western  States,  and  the 
far-famed  Cossacks  of  Russia.  The  horses'  backs  have  been  their  cra- 
dles, and  here  they  possess  a  decided  advantage  over  their  Spanish 
foes,  who  know  as  little  of  the  equestrian  art  as  they  seem  to  under- 
stand of  other's  rights,  or  the  amenities  of  war.  A  mounted  band  of 

211 


212  BATTLES   WITH    MACHETE    AND   RIFLE. 

insurgents,  rushing  down  on  a  detachment  of  the  enemy,  waving  aloft 
the  terrible  machete,  will  carry  with  them  terror  and  death,  and  con- 
quer twice  their  number. 

The  heroic  mulatto  brothers,  Antonio  and  Jos6  Maceo,  adopted  this 
manner  of  fighting  on  every  possible  occasion,  and  it  is  a  coincidence 
worthy  of  note  that  they  both  met  their  death  while  leading  machete 
charges  against  their  hated  foes. 

'Lack  of  Ammunition  in  the  Cuban  Ranks. 

The  lack  of  ammunition  is  one  of  the  weaknesses  of  the  insurgents. 
Courage,  ability  and  men  they  possess  in  abundance,  but  the  lack  of 
cartridges  has  interfered  with  many  of  their  best  laid  plans,  and  has 
often  prevented  them  from  availing  themselves  of  favorable  opportuni- 
ties. Three  or  four  rounds  a  man  is  nothing  in  action,  especially  when 
the  Spaniards  are  always  so  abundantly  supplied.  However  they  are 
determined,  and  as  Spanish  incapacity  becomes  daily  more  apparent, 
they  feel  that  it  is  only  a  question  of  a  few  months  until  the  cause  for 
which  they  have  so  long  and  bravely  fought  will  be  gloriously  woa, 

Maceo  at  the  Front. 

Within  three  months  of  the  time  that  Gomez  and  Maceo  landed  at 
Baracoa  they  had  all  Santiago  and  Puerto  Principe  in  a  state  of  insur- 
rection. They  started  out  with  comparatively  a  handful  of  men.  The 
most  reliable  sources  agree  that  there  were  not  more  than  300,  but 
they  were  quickly  joined  by  thousands  of  Cubans,  who  brought  out 
from  hiding  places  arms  and  ammunition  which  they  had  been  collect-  ' 
ing  and  concealing  for  years. 

General  Campos,  the  Spanish  commander,  had  declared  that  Puerto 
Principe  would  never  rise  against  Spain,  and  he  proposed  at  once  a 
plan  to  make  it  doubly  sure.  He  procured  special  concessions  from 
Madrid  for  the  foreign  railroads,  permitting  them  to  import  iron  bridges 
to  replace  their  wooden  structures,  and  pledging  them  $20,000  a  month 
until  they  had  extended  their  lines  and  made  connections  to  complete 
a  continuous  road  through  the  country,  using  the  money  to  employ  the 
natives.  This  was  to  insure  the  peace  of  Puerto  Principe  and  Santa 
.Clara,  both  considered  conservative,  and  to  prevent  the  people  joining 
the  revolutionary  party. 


BATTLES   WITH   MACHETE   AND  RIFLE.  213 

After  the  plan  was  announced,  the  revolutionists  burned  out  the 
wooden  bridges,  tore  up  the  tracks  in  many  places,  and  the  roads  have 
been,  for  all  practical  purposes,  in  their  hands  ever  since.  Campos, 
meantime,  to  prevent  Gomez  moving  eastward,  placed  10,000  troops 
on  the  border  between  the  provinces  of  Puerto  Principe  and  Santiago, 
but  Gomez  crossed  the  line  on  May  19th,  after  a  battle  at  Boca  del  Dos 
Rios,  where  a  loss  was  suffered  in  the  death  of  General  Marti,  which 
was  so  great  a  blow  to  Cuba  that  Campos  announced  that  the  "death 
blow  to  the  bandits  had  been  struck." 

In  Puerto  Principe  Gomez  captured  every  town  he  attempted  to 
take,  among  them  Alta  Gracia,  San  Jeronimo  and  Coscorro.  He  took 
Fort  El  Mulato,  and  in  all  the  places  secured  large  quantities  of  ammu- 
nition. So  enthusiastic  was  his  reception  in  the  provinces  of  Puerto 
Principe  and  Santa  Clara  that  in  the  latter  400  Spanish  volunteers 
joined  him  with  their  arms. 

The  most  important  battle  of  the  summer  occurred  at  Bayamo  in 
July,  just  as  Gomez  was  near  the  Spanish  line  between  Santa  Clara 
and  Puerto  Principe,  where,  in  an  engagement  between  the  two 
armies,  with  about  3,000  men  on  either  side,  the  Spanish  forces  were 
completely  routed. 

From  that  time  on  through  the  summer  and  far  into  the  autumn, 
every  day  was  marked  by  skirmishes,  the  taking  of  important  places, 
and  the  threatening  of  the  larger  towns.  It  kept  the  Spanish  columns 
moving  constantly,  and  the  exposure  in  the  rainy  season  killed  thou- 
sands. 

Maceo  now  separated  his  forces  from  Gomez's  command,  and 
marched  westward,  fighting  as  he  went,  and  everywhere  meeting  with 
success.  He  established  the  new  government  in  the  cities  and  towns 
of  Mantua,  San  Cristobal,  Eemates,  Palacios,  Paso  Eeal  de  San  Diego, 
Guane,  Consolacion  del  Sur,  Pilotos,  Alonso  de  Eojas,  San  Luis,  San 
Juan  y  Martinez,  and  others  of  less  importance. 

Pinar  del  Bio  City,  the  capital  of  the  province,  was  the  only  city  of 
importance  that  held  out,  but  it  was  cut  off  with  communication  with 
its  port,  Colon,  and  was  short  of  provisions.  One  supply  sent  by  the 
Spanish  for  its  relief,  100,000  rations,  fell  into  Maceo's  hands. 

In  San  Cristobal  the  Spanish  flag  on  the  government  building  was 
replaced  by  the  emblem  of  the  new  republic,  a  mayor  and  ?ity  officials 
were  appointed,  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  new  autho  nties,  and, 
after  all  the  arms  in  the  town  had  been  collected,  Maco  remained  a 


214  BATTLES   WITH    MACHETE   AND  RIFLE. 

day  to  rest  his  men  and  horses,  and  moved  on  the  following  morning  at 
daybreak. 

Generals  Navarro  and  Luque  were  ordered  to  crush  the  insurgent 
army  at  all  hazards.  Their  combined  forces  consisted  of  5,000  infan- 
try, 200  cavalry,  and  11  pieces  of  artillery.  After  a  two-days'  march 
they  were  joined  by  General  Arizon's  command,  which  had  encoun- 
tered Maceo's  rear  guard  the  previous  day,  with  disastrous  results. 

Near  Quivera  Hacha,  Navarro's  skirmishers  encountered  a  small 
band  of  insurgents,  and  fearing  that  all  of  Maceo's  army  was  near, 
lines  of  battle  were  quickly  formed.  The  engagement  lasted  for  less 
than  half  an  hour,  when  the  insurgent  forces  withdrew,  without 
serious  losses  on  either  side.  General  Navarro  finally  discovered  that 
the  principal  part  of  Maceo's  forces  was  at  the  Armendores  estate,  and 
the  seat  of  operations  was  changed.  General  Luque  succeeded  Navarro 
in  command,  and  several  days  now  passed  without  any  conflict  of  note. 
Finally  Luque  led  a  charge  upon  Maceo's  vanguard,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pinar  del  Kio,  but  the  moment  the  attack  was  made  he  found  himself 
under  fire  from  the  top  of  low  hills  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  where 
the  insurgents  were  well  protected,  and  he  sustained  severe  losses  with- 
out inflicting  much  injury  upon  the  enemy.  So  hot  was  the  encounter 
that  Luque  withdrew  and  prepared  to  charge  upon  two  points  where 
the  enemy  were  making  a  stand.  He  held  the  road  with  one  battalion, 
sending  a  detachment  to  the  right,  and  another  to  the  left.  The  attack 
was  successful.  The  Spanish  made  a  magnificent  effort  under  with- 
ering fire,  and  swept  Maceo's  forces  before  them,  not,  however,  until 
they  had  left  the  field  scattered  with  their  own  dead  and  wounded. 

For  some  reason  the  cavalry  had  not  been  used.  The  artillery  was 
just  coming  up  when  the  action  had  reached  this  point.  The  Spanish 
found  that  the  enemy  had,  instead  of  being  routed,  simply  fallen  back 
and  taken  a  position  on  another  hill,  and  scattered  firing  went  on  for  a 
considerable  time,  while  Luque  prepared  to  attack  again.  Then, 
against  2,000  of  Maceo's  men,  was  directed  all  of  Luque's  command, 
over  4,000  infantry,  200  cavalry,  and  eleven  pieces  of  artillery. 

At  least  half  of  Maceo's  army,  certainly  not  less  than  2,000  cavalry, 
had  been  moving  up  to  Luque's  rear  and  came  upon  him,  surprising 
him  just  as  this  second  attack  was  being  made. 

For  a  tr  ie  it  was  a  question  whether  Luque's  command  would  not 
be  wiped  -/at.  They  were  practically  surrounded  by  Maceo's  men,  and 
for  fully  an  hour  and  a  half  the  fighting  was  desperate.  It  is  impossi- 


BATTLES   WITH    MACHETE    AND   RIFLE.  215 

ble  to  unravel  the  stories  of  both  sides  so  as  to  arrive  at  a  clear  idea 
of  the  encounter. 

When  the  cannonading  ceased,  four  companies  of  infantry  charged 
up  the  hill  and  occupied  it  before  the  insurgents,  who  had  been  driven 
out  by  the  artillery,  could  regain  it.  Shortly  the  hill  on  the  left  of 
the  road  was  taken  in  the  same  way,  and  Luque,  although  at  a  great 
loss,  had  repelled  Maceo's  attack  from  the  rear. 

The  battle  had  lasted  for  a  little  over  two  hours.  Maceo  had  about 
forty  of  his  men  wounded  and  left  four  dead  on  the  field,  taking  away 
ten  others.  Twenty  or  more  of  his  horses  were  killed.  The  Spanish 
reported  that  he  had  1,000  killed,  the  next  day  reduced  the  number 
to  300,  and  finally  to  the  statement  that  "the  enemy's  losses  must  have 
been  enormous,"  the  usual  phrase  when  the  true  number  is  humiliat- 
ing. Luque's  losses  have  never  been  officially  reported,  but  it  is 
variously  estimated  at  from  seventy-five  to  a  hundred  men. 

The  Work  of  Fiends. 

The  Cubans  give  horrible  details  of  a  battle  at  Paso  Real,  between 
General  Luque's  army  and  a  division  of  Maceo's  forces  under  Benuu- 
dez.  Witnesses  of  the  encounter  claim  that  the  Spaniards  invaded 
the  hospital  and  killed  wounded  insurgents  in  their  beds,  and  that 
Bermudez,  in  retaliation,  formed  a  line,  and  shot  thirty-seven  Span- 
ish prisoners. 

Luque  says  in  his  report  of  this  engagement:  "The  rebels  made  a 
strong  defense,  firing  from  the  tops  of  houses  and  along  the  fences 
around  the  city.  The  Spanish  vanguard,  under  Colonel.  Hernandez, 
attacked  the  vanguard,  center  and  rear  guard  of  the  rebels  in  the  cen- 
tral streets  of  the  town,  driving  them  with  continuous  volleys  and  fierce 
cavalry  charges  into  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  Up  to  this  point  we 
had  killed  ten  insurgents." 

The  people  of  Paso  Real  say  this  report  is  true,  as  far  as  it  goes,  but 
that  Luque  neglects  to  add  that  he  then  attacked  the  hospital,  and 
murdered  twenty-eight  wounded  men,  firing  at  them  as  they  lay  on 
their  cots,  through  the  windows,  and  finally  breaking  down  the  door, 
and  killing  the  rest  with  the  bayonet. 

Under  date  of  February  8th  we  have  an  account  of  the  operations 
of  the  Spanish  General  Sabas  Marin,  who  left  Havana  a  short  time 
before.  His  campaign  in  search  of  General  Gomez  was  disastrous,  and 


1216  BATTLES    WITH    MACHETE   AND   RIFLE. 

the  official  reports  of  Spanish  victories  were  misleading.  There  were 
losses  on  both  sides,  but  Marin  accomplished  absolutely  nothing  of 
what  he  intended  to  achieve. 

The  first  misfortune  which  overtook  the  Spaniards  was  the  rout  of 
Carnellas,  on  the  very  day  on  which  Marin  left  Havana.  Gomez  sent 
a  detachment  under  Pedro  Diaz  to  intercept  him,  and  this  force 
reached  Saladrigas  in  the  early  morning.  In  this  section  the  country 
is  cut  into  small  fields,  divided  by  stone  fences,  and  facing  the  road 
there  is  •*.  high  fence,  with  a  ditch  in  front  of  it.  Diaz  placed  400  infan- 
try behind  this  fence,  and  waited  himself  with  1,000  cavalry  back  of  a 
hill  close  by.  When  the  Spanish  forces  appeared,  the  advance  guard 
was  allowed  to  pass,  and  as  soon  as  the  main  body  was  fairly  in  the 
trap,  volleys  were  poured  into  them,  literally  mowing  them  down. 
At  the  sound  of  the  first  gun,  Diaz  led  his  thousand  horsemen  upon  the 
enemy's  flank  and  rear.  The  charge  was  irresistible.  Half  of  Diaz's 
men  did  not  even  fire  a  shot,  but  yelling  "machete,"  they  rode  furiously 
upon  the  Spanish  lines,  cutting  their  wTay  through,  and  fighting  with 
terrible  effect. 

The  Spanish  issued  no  official  report  of  this  battle.  So  far  as  the 
records  show,  it  never  occurred.  One  of  the  Spanish  officers,  who 
fought  in  it,  conceded  a  loss  of  200  men,  but  it  is  probable  that  twice 
that  number  would  be  nearer  the  correct  figure. 

Americans  in  the  Cuban  Army. 

Colonel  Frederick  Funston,  who  returned  to  New  York  in  January, 
1898,  told  an  interesting  story  of  brave  Yankee  boys  serving  under 
General  Gomez  and  General  Garcia  in  Eastern  Cuba,  and  also  gave  an 
account  of  the  sad  death  of  W.  Dana  Osgood,  the  famous  football 
player,  formerly  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

Colonel  Funston  was  with  Gomez's  army  when  they  attacked  Gui- 
maro.  They  had  with  them  a  twelve-pound  Hotchkiss  rifle  and  four 
American  artillerymen,  Osgood  of  Pennsylvania,  Latrobe  and  Janney 
of  Baltimore,  and  Devine  of  Texas. 

They  attacked  Guimaro  in  the  morning,  at  ranges  of  from  400  to 
600  yards,  the  infantry  being  protected  by  a  breastwork  of  earth,  in 
which  openings  were  left  for  the  guns. 

The  Spanish  garrison  consisted  of  200  men  in  eleven  forts,  and 
they  maintained  a  hot  fire  all  day.  Gradually,  however,  the  Hotchkiss 


BATTLES   WITH   MACHETE   AND   KIFLE.  217 

rifle,  the  fire  of  which  was  directed  by  Osgood,  made  the  largest  and 
nearest  fort  untenable,  and  it  was  abandoned  by  the  garrison.  No 
sooner  had  the  Spanish  forces  left  it  than  a  band  of  the  insurgents  took 
possession,  and  from  this  point  of  vantage  the  fighting  was  continued 
with  renewed  vigor.  As  soon  as  darkness  came  on  one  of  the  Cuban 
guns  was  moved  forward  and  stationed  in  this  fort,  and  on  the  following 
day  a  storm  of  shot  and  shell  was  directed  at  the  other  forts. 

Naturally  the  rifles  of  the  garrison  were  trained  most  of  the  time 
upon  the  man  sighting  the  Hotchkiss  in  the  captured  fort,  and  there, 
leaning  over  his  gun  in  the  early  morning,  the  intrepid  Osgood  was  shot 
through  the  head.  He  was  carried  off  by  his  comrades  under  fire,  and 
died  four  hours  later.  The  death  of  this  gallant  young  soldier  was 
universally  lamented,  and  the  Cubans  honor  his  memory  as  one  of  the 
first  Americans  to  give  his  life  while  fighting  for  their  cause.  • 

With  Gomez,  with  Garcia,  and  with  Maceo,  in  every  insurgent  camp, 
there  were  brave  men,  American  born,  who  fought  for  the  flag  of  Free 
Cuba,  side  by  side  with  the  native  soldier,  and  who  gave  their  lives  in 
the  war  against  Spanish  tyranny  and  misrule. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA. 

First  Expeditions — Expense  to  the  United  States — President  Pierce's  Action 
— The  Uprising  in  18GS — The  Patrol  of  the  Coasts — An  Expedition  on 
the  "Three  Friends" — Arms  and  Ammunition  for  the  Insurgents — Des- 
perate Chances — A  Successful  Landing. 

The  record  of  the  last  fifty  years  is  the  clearest  and  most  convinc- 
ing evidence  that  can  be  offered  against  the  Spanish  contention  that 
the'  United  States  is  not  concerned  with  the  question  of  government 
in  Cuba,  and  has  not  been  tremendously  injured  by  the  inability  of 
Spanish  administration  to  furnish  the  Cubans  with  a  peaceful  and 
satisfactory  government.  The  first  bit  of  evidence  to  be  submitted 
comes  from  away  back  in  1848,  when  President  Polk,  on  behalf  of  the 
United  States,  announced  that  while  the  United  States  was  willing 
that  Cuba  should,  be  continued  under  Spanish  ownership  and  govern- 
ment, it  would  never  consent  to  the  occupation  of  the  island  by  any 
other  European  nation. 

It  was  pointed  out  a.i  that  time  by  the  American  government  that 
were  the  United  States  to  admit  that  Cuba  was  open  to  seizure  by  any 
government  that  was  able  to  throw  Spain  out  the  fact  that  it  was 
nearly  surrounded,  in  Central  and  South  America  and  in  other  West 
Indian  islands,  by  territory  belonging  to  twelve  other  nations  would 
make  it  the  ground  of  interminable  squabbles.  And  these  squabbles 
were  not  matters  which  would  be  without  interest  and  damage  to  the 
commerce  and  peace  of  the  United  States.  This  was  followed  by  an 
offer  of  |100,000,000  to  Spain  for  the  island  of  Cuba,  The  offer  was 
promptly  declined,  and  the  United  States  was  informed  that  Cuba 
was  not  on  the  market. 

First  Filibustering  Expedition. 

Nevertheless,  there  was  formed  in  the  United  States  the  Lone  Star 
Society,  which  had  as  its  object  "the  acquisition  of  the  island  of  Cuba 
as  part  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States." 

The  "Conspiracy  of  Lopez,"  which  is  fully  treated  of  in   previous 

218 


LITTLE  KING  ALFONSO  OF  SPAIN,  WHOSE  THRONE  IS  TOTTERING 


W 

u 


U 


s  "S 


W    l| 

P  Is 


O(/i  t/> 
i 


FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA.  221 

pages  of  this  work,  was  the  first  filibustering  expedition  that  attracted 
particular  attention  from  the  authorities,  and  it  was  hoped  that  its 
disastrous  end  would  deter  others  from  like  attempts.  But  the  hope 
was  a-  vain  one,  for  within  two  years  a  similar  expedition,  led  by  Gen- 
eral Quitman  of  Mississippi,  was  organized  in  the  United  States. 
Many  men  were  enlisted  and  vessels  chartered,  but  the  expedition 
was  suppressed  by  the  government  of  the  United  States. 

f  Expense  to  United  States. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  fact  that  Spain  had  not  been  able  to 
govern  Cuba  peaceably  has  caused  the  United  States  great  expense  and 
irritation  for  a  much  longer  period  than  is  usually  taken  into  consid- 
eration in  these  days.  It  is  not  the  fault  of  the  United  States  that  its 
citizens  have  been  stirred  to  sympathy  with  the  victims  of  the  Span- 
ish policy  of  government  by  robbery  and  murder.  It  is  not  the  fault 
of  the  United  States  that  this  country  has  been  the  refuge  of  men  who 
have  been  outlawed  from  the  country  of  their  birth  because  their  pres- 
ence there  meant  the  irrepressible  working  in  them  of  a  desire  for 
freedom,  a  desire  intolerable  to  Spanish  institutions. 

It  is  not  the  fault  of  the  United  States  that  these  refugees,  living 
in  the  land  of  civil  liberty,  should  desire  to  return  to  their  native  coun- 
try and  drive  out  those  who  made  it  miserable.  But  it  would  have  been 
the  fault  of  the  United  States,  under  international  law,  if  these  exiled 
Cubans  were  permitted  to  carry  out  their  very  natural  and  laudable 
desire  in  concert  with  the  Americans  whose  sympathy  had  been 
stirred  by  the  story  of  Spanish  wrongs.  To  ferret  out  the  plans  for 
expeditions  conceived  with  such  determination  and  perseverance  was 
not  only  a  task  requiring  tremendous  expenditure  of  money  and 
energy,  but  it  was  a  miserably  disagreeable  and  unpopular  work  for 
the  government  to  engage  in. 

On  the  31st  of  May,  1854,  President  Pierce  issued  a  proclamation 
instructing  citizens  of  the  United  States  as  to  their  duties  in  refrain- 
ing from  encouragement,  aid,  or  participation  in  connection  with  the 
Cuban  insurrections. 

The  Uprising  in  1868. 

In  the  fall  of  1868,  after  scattering  uprisings  and  several  battles 
during  the  preceding  year,  plans  for  a  concerted  insurrection  were 

arranged.    The  plan  was  discovered  and  the  insurrection  was  started 
12 


222  FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA. 

prematurely.  There  followed  a  campaign  in  which  Spanish  forces, 
amounting  to  110,000  men,  were  unable  to  hold  in  check  the  Cuban 
force  of  about  26,000.  In  May  the  filibustering  expeditions,  that  were 
to  prove  such  an  immense  expense  and  annoyance  to  the  United 
States,  began  again.  The  Spanish  navy  co-operated  with  the  United 
States  government  in  the  efforts  to  suppress  these  expeditions,  but 
many  of  them  eluded  the  authorities,  and  aided  the  insurgents  with 
arms  and  provisions. 

This  was  irritating  to  Spain  and  the  United  States  alike,  because 
it  cost  just  as  much  to  keep  up  an  unsuccessful  anti-filibustering  pa- 
trol as  it  did  actually  to  catch  filibusters,  and,  moreover,  every  suc- 
cessful expedition  weakened  the  authority  of  the  Federal  government. 
That  authority  in  the  Southern  States  just  after  the  war  was  none  too 
strong,  and  it  was  not  a  good  thing  that  the  spectacle  of  defiance  to 
the  United  States  should  be  flaunted  along  the  Southern  coast. 

From  1878  until  1895,when  the  present  insurrection  gained  strength 
to  become  openly  active,  the  island  is  supposed  to  have  been  at  peace, 
but  in  the  latter  year  the  open  war  and  filibustering  expeditions  began 
again.  The  name  of  President  Cleveland  was  added  to  the  list  of  Pres- 
idents whose  duty  it  was  to  interfere  with  efforts  to  aid  Cuban  liberty. 
He  issued  appropriate  proclamations  on  June  12,  1895,  and  July  30, 
1896.  Eevenue  cutters  and  warships  constantly  patrolled  the  Florida 
coast  and,  indeed,  all  the  waters  of  the  gulf,  and  sometimes  New  York 
harbor,  to  head  off  filibustering  expeditions.  It  is  said  to  have  cost 
more  to  suppress  the  natural  desire  of  citizens  of  the  United  States)  to 
relieve  the  political  distress  in  Cuba  than  it  has  cost  to  enforce  cus- 
toms regulations  from  the  same  territory. 

The  Voyage  of  the  "Three  Friends." 

As  evidence  of  the  fact  that  Cuban  sympathizers  have  been  suc- 
cessful in  escaping  the  patrol  on  American  coasts  and  the  enemy's 
battleships  in  Cuban  waters,  we  give  the  report  of  one  of  many  expe- 
ditions that  have  been  made  during  the  past  three  years. 

The  steamer  "Three  Friends,"  of  Jacksonville,  Florida,  in  command 
of  Captain  Napoleon  B.  Broward,  returned  to  Jacksonville  on  March 
18th,  having  succeeded  in  landing  in  Cuba,  General  Enrique  Collazo, 
Major  Charles  Hernandez,  and  Duke  Estrada,  besides  fifty-four  men 
taken  off  the  schooner  "Ardell"  from  Tampa,  and  the  entire  cargo  of 
arms  and  ammunition  of  the  schooner  "Mallory"  from  Cedar  Key.  It 


FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA.  223 

was  by  long  odds  the  most  important  expedition  that  has  set  out 
from  this  country,  and  the  Cubans  at  Jacksonville,  when  they  learned 
that  the  "Three  Friends"  had  safely  fulfilled  her  mission,  shouted 
"Viva  Cuba!"  until  they  were  hoarse. 

They  declared  that  it  would  change  the  character  of  the  whole 
war,  as  the  unarmed  men  would  now  be  armed,  and  that  Maceo,  who 
had  before  been  wary  and  cautious,  would  be  more  aggressive  than 
he  had  ever  been  before.  The  cargo  of  arms  landed  by  the  "Three 
Friends"  and  the  "Mallory"  was  as  follows:  750,000  rounds  of  car- 
tridges, 1,200  rifles,  2,100  machetes,  400  revolvers,  besides  stores,  re- 
loading tools,  etc. 

The  "Three  Friends"  met  the  "Mallory"  at  Alligator  Key.  The 
"Ardell"  had  just  finished  transferring  the  men  to  her.  While  they 
were  rendezvoused  there  behind  the  pines  in  a  deep  coral-walled  creek, 
three  big  Spanish  men-of-war  steamed  slowly  by,  but  they  did  not  dis- 
cover that  there  was  anything  suspicious  looking  in  shore,  although 
with  a  glass  men  could  be  seen  in  their  look-outs  scanning  the  horizon, 
as  well  as  searching  the  shore.  Sunday,  about  noon,  no  vessels  being 
in  sight,  the  "Three  Friends"  took  in  tow  the  "Mallory"  and  steamed 
southward  under  a  good  head  of  steam. 

The  "Three  Friends"  is  a  powerful  tug,  and  by  Monday  night  was 
close  enough  to  the  Cuban'  shore  to  hear  the  breakers.  Several  ship- 
lights  to  the  west  were  seen,  one  of  which  was  evidently  a  Spanish 
man-of-war,  for  she  had  a  search-light  at  her  bow,  and  was  sweeping 
the  waves  with  it,  but  the  "Three  Friends"  was  a  long  way  off,  and  had 
no  light,  and  so  was  out  of  the  neighborhood  of  the  Spaniard. 

A  Successful  Landing. 

At  ten  o'clock  that  night,  by  the  aid  of  a  naphtha  launch  and  two 
big  surf  boats,  which  had  been  taken  out  of  Jacksonville,  the  "Three 
Friends"  landed  the  men  and  ammunition  from  her  hold,  and  from  that 
of  the  "Mallory."  It  took  four  and  a  half  hours  to  complete  the  job. 
There  were  hundreds  of  men  on  shore  to  assist,  and  they  did  it  silently, 
appreciating  the  peril  of  the  position. 

The  Cubans  on  shore  recognized  General  Collazo  immediately,  and 
no  words  can  describe  their  joy  on  seeing  him.  He  is;  a  veteran  of 
Cuban  wars,  and  one  whom  Spain  fears.  In  fact>  it  is  known  that 
during  his  sojourn  in  Florida  he  was  shadowed  by  detectives^  who  had 
been  instructed  to  spare  no  expense  to  keep  Collazo  from  reaching 


224  FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA. 

Cuba.  When  it  was  whispered  that  Collazo  was  really  among  them, 
they  seemed  not  to  believe  their  ears,  but  came  forward  and  looked, 
and,  seeing  that  there  was  really  no  mistake,  threw  up  their  arms  and 
wept  for  joy.  Major  Charles  Hernandez  and  Duke  Estrada  were  also 
enthusiastically  welcomed. 

It  was  reported  that  night  that  Maceo  had  received  the  arms  of  the 
first  expedition  that  set  forth  three  days  before  the  "Three  Friends" 
landed.  They  were  not  from  the  "Commodore,"  for  they  reported  that 
they  were  now  on  the  lookout  for  that  vessel.  They  said,  too,  that  at 
the  end  of  the  week  four  expeditions  were  afloat.  Two,  including  the 
"Three  Friends,"  had  landed,  and  two  more  were  on  the  way.  Tues- 
day morning,  as  the  "Three  Friends"  was  returning,  she  sighted  a 
steamer  that  answered  to  the  description  of  the  "Commodore."  She 
was  headed 'southward,  and  pushing  along  apparently  at  the  rate  of 
fifteen  knots  an  hour. 

Here  is  the  story  of  the  capture  of  an  expedition,  by  Commander 
Butron,  of  the  Spanish  gunboat  "Mensagera": 

"The  'Mensagera'  was  directed  to  watch  the  coast  between  Cayo 
Julia  and  Morrillo,  about  one  hundred  miles.  It  was  heard  on  the 
afternoon  of  April  25  that  a  suspicious  schooner  had  been  seen  near 
Quebrados  de  Uvas.  The  gunboat  followed,  and  found  the  'Competi- 
tor.' The  usual  signals  were  made,  but  the  schooner  tried  to  get  closer 
in  shore,  so  as  to  land  a  rapid-fire  gun. 

"The  'Mensagera'  was  then  moved  forward  and  fired  a  shot,  which 
struck  the  schooner  and  exploded  a  box  of  cartridges  which  the  men 
were  trying  to  take  ashore.  Several  occupants  of  the  schooner  became 
alarmed,  and  threw  themselves  into  the  water,  feaHng  an  explosion  of 
dynamite.  The  gunboat's  crew  seized  rifles  and  began  shooting,  kill- 
ing three  men.  Several  others  reached  shore. 

"Three  men  were  aboard  the  schooner  when  it  was  overhauled, 
and  they  surrendered  without  resistance.  Among  them  was  Owen 
Milton,  editor  of  the  Key  West  Mosquito.  Sailors  were  sent  ashore 
to  capture  the  arms  landed.  In  the  skirmish,  two  men,  supposed  to  be 
filibusters,  and  a  horse  were  killed.  They  secured  several  abandoned 
cases  of  cartridges.  A  body  of  insurgents  had  come  to  watch  the  land- 
ing of  the  boat's  crew.  The  'Mensagera'  came  to  Havana  with  the 
arms  and  prisoners,  who  were  very  seasick.  The  schooner  was  towed 
to  Havana  by  the  gunboat  'Vicente  Yanez.'  It  is  regarded  as  an  object 
of  great  curiosity  by  the  crowds.  It  had  the  Spanish  flag  floating 


FILIBUSTERS  FROM  FLORIDA.  225 

when  captured.  It  is  a  neat,  strong  boat,  and  looks  fast.  One  of  the 
prisoners  captured  steadily  refuses  to  give  his  name." 

An  account  of  the  trial,  as  sent  from  Havana,  May  8th,  reads  as 
follows: 

"The  court  opened  at  the  Arsenal.  The  prisoners  were  Alfredo 
Laborde,  born  in  New  Orleans;  Owen  Milton,  of  Kansas;  William 
Kinlea,  an  Englishman,  and  Elias  Vedia  and  Teodore  Dela  Maza,  both 
Cubans.  Captain  Ruiz  a.cted  as  president  of  the  court,  which  con- 
sisted of  nine  other  military  and  naval  officers.  The  trial  of  the  five 
filibusters  captured  aboard  the  'Competitor'  was  proceeded  with 
against  the  formal  protest  presented  by  Consul  General  Williams, 
who  declared  that  the  trial  was  illegal  and  in  violation  of  the  treaty 
between  Spain  and  the  United  States. 

"The  prisoners^  were  not  served  with  a  copy  of  the  charges  against 
them  and  were  not  allowed  to  select  their  own  counsel,  but  were 
represented  by  a  naval  officer  appointed  by  the  government.  They 
were  not  permitted  to  call  witnesses  for  their  defense,  the  prosecution 
calling  all  the  witnesses.  Owen  Milton,  of  Kansas,  testified  through 
an  interpreter  that  he  came  on  the  expedition  only  to  correspond  for 
a  newspaper.  William  Kinlea,  when  called,  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves. 
He  arose  and  said  in  English,  'I  do  not  recognize  your  authority,  and 
appeal  for  protection  to  the  American  and  English  consuls.' " 

Fortunately  for  these  prisoners,  the  United  States  government  in- 
terfered, and  they  were  eventually  released. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
WEYLER  THE  BUTCHER. 

His  Ancestry — A  Soldier  From  His  Youth — He  Succeeds  General  Campos — 
A  Master  of  Diplomacy — A  Slave  of  Spain — His  Personal  Appearance 
— His  Interview  With  a  Woman — His  Definition  of  War — His  Resig- 
nation. 

Early  in  1896,  when  the  Spanish  government  began  to  realize  that 
the  insurrection  was  assuming  serious  proportions,  arrangements  were 
made  for  the  recall  of  General  Campos,  then  Governor-General  of 
the  island,  and  General  Weyler  was  sent  to  assume  the  duties  of  the 
office.  It  was  the  opinion  in  Spain  that  Campos  was  too  mild  in  his 
treatment  of  the  rebels,  and  as  Weyler  was  known  to  have  no  lamb- 
like qualities,  he  was  regarded  as  the  ideal  man  for  the  position.  That 
he  did  not  succeed  in  putting  down  the  rebellion  was  certainly  not 
due  to  any  lack  of  extreme  measures  on  his  part.  He  is  known  as  the 
"Butcher,"  and  his  management  of  affairs  in  Cuba  certainly  gives  him 
every  right  to  the  title. 

Valeriano  Weyler  y  Mcolau,  to  give  him  his  full  name,  is  only  half 
a  Spaniard.  His  father  was  a  Prussian,  though  Weyler  himself  was 
born  in  Cadiz  in  1839.  His  parents  were  in  very  moderate  circum- 
stances and  not  of  noble  birth.  What  Weyler  has  won  he  has  acquired 
through  his  own  efforts.  He  has  made  his  way  single-handed.  He 
graduated  from  the  infantry  school  at  Toledo  in  1857  and  was  at  once 
sent  to  Cuba  as  a  subaltern.  He  was  quickly  made  a  captain  and  his 
first  work  was  to  subdue  a  small  revolt  in  San  Domingo. 

He  rose  rapidly  in  rank,  and  during  the  first  Cuban  revolt  he  was  in 
command  in  the  province  of  Santiago,  where  he  earned  the  title  that 
has  since  made  him  famous  in  the  eyes  of  his  supporters,  but  infamous 
from  a  civilized  point  of  view.  But  he  put  down  the  revolt.  He  was 
rewarded'  with  the  appointment  of  captain  general  of  the  Canary 
islands.  His  administration  was  so  successful  that  he  was  created 
Marquis  of  Teneriffe.  He  was  then  barely  thirty-nine  years  old.  He 
distinguished  himself  in  the  Carlist  war  and  at  its  conclusion  he  was 
made  captain  general  of  the  Philippines,  where  he  quelled  an  insur- 

226 


WEYLEB  THE  BUTCHER.  227 

rection  and  admittedly  gave  the  islands  the  best  administration  they 
had  ever  known.  He  returned  to  Spain  in  1889  and  was  in  command 
at  Barcelona  until  the  present  Cuban  revolution  began. 

Here  is  a  mental  photograph  of  him  by  a  newspaper  correspond- 
ent: 

"Most  men  resemble  their  reputations,  and  if  a  life  famously  spent 
is  in  the  mind  of  one  who  visits  a  character  of  world-wide  repute,  he 
quite  naturally  discovers  peculiarities  of  facial  expression  and 
physique  which  appear  to  account  for  the  individuality  of  the  man, 
fighter,  philosopher,  criminal,  reformer  or  whatever  he  may  be. 

"All  this  is  true  of  General  Weyler.  He  is  one  of  those  men  who 
create  a  first  impression,  the  first  sight  of  whom  can  never  be  effaced 
from  the  mind,  by  whose  presence  the  most  careless  observer  is  im- 
pressed instantly,  and  yet,  taken  altogether,  he  is  a  man  in  whom  the 
elements  of  greatness  are  concealed  under  a  cloak  of  impenetrable 
obscurity.  Inferior  physically,  unsoldierly  in  bearing,  exhibiting  no 
trace  of  refined  sensibilities  nor  pleasure  in  the  gentle  associations 
that  others  live  for,  or  at  least  seek  as  diversions,  he  is  nevertheless 
the  embodiment  of  mental  acuteness,  crafty,  unscrupulous,  fearless 
and  of  indomitable  perseverance. 

"I  have  talked  with  Campos,  Marin  and  Weyler,  the  three  Captain- 
Generals  to  whom  Spain  has  intrusted  (thus  far  unsuccessfully)  the 
reconquest  of  Cuba.  Keconquest  seems  an  ill-chosen  word,  but  one  of 
General  Weyler's  staff  has  so  denominated  this  war,  and  Cuban  revo- 
lutions can  be  settled  only  by  conquests,  Campos  was  an  exceptional 
man.  Marin  was  commonplace.  Weyler  is  unique.  Campos  and  Marin 
affected  gold  lace,  dignity  and  self-consciousness.  Weyler  ignores 
them  all  as  useless,  unnecessary  impediments,  if  anything,  to  the  one 
object  of  his  existence.  Campos  was  fat,  good  natured,  wise,  phil- 
osophical, slow  in  his  mental  processes,  clear  in  his  judgment,  em- 
phatic in  his  opinions,  outspoken,  and,  withal,  lovable,  humane,  con- 
servative, constructive,  progressive,  with  but  one  project  ever  before 
him,  the  glorification  of  Spain  as  a  mother-land  and  a  figure  among 
peaceful,  enlightened  nations. 

"Weyler  is  lean,  diminutive,  shriveled,  ambitious  for  immortality, 
irrespective  of  its  odor,  a  master  of  diplomacy,  the  slave  of  Spain,  for 
the  glory  of  sitting  at  the  right  of  her  throne,  unlovable,  unloving, 
exalted,  and  doubtless  justly,  in  self-esteem,  because  he  is  unmistaken 
in  his  estimation  of  his  value  to  his  Queen.  His  passion  is  success, 


228  WEYLEB  THE  BUTCHER. 

per  se,  foul  or  fair  consequences  or  the  conventional  ideas  of  human- 
ity notwithstanding. 

"He  is  a  little  man.  An  apparition  of  blacks — black  eyes,  black 
hair,  black  beard,  dark,  exceedingly  dark,  complexion^  a  plain  black 
attire,  black  shoes,  black  tie,  a  very  dirty  shirt  and  soiled  standing 
collar,  with  no  jewelry  and  not  a  relief  from  the  aspect  of  darkness 
anyw^here  on  his  person. 

"It  is  not  remarkable  that  I  momentarily  hesitated  to  make  cer- 
tain that  this  was  actually  Weyler.  Doubt  was  dispelled  with  a  look 
at  his  face.  His  eyes,  far  apart,  bright,  alert  and  striking,  took  me  in 
at  a  glance.  His  face  seemed  to  run  to  his  chin,  his  lower  jaw  pro- 
truding far  beyond  any  ordinary  sign  of  firmness,  persistence  or  will- 
power. His  forehead  is  neither  high  nor  receding,  neither  is  it  that  of 
a  thoughtful  or  philosophic  man.  His  ears  are  set  far  back,  and  what 
is  called  the  region  of  intellect,  in  which  are  those  mental  attributes 
that  might  be  defined  as  powers  of  observation,  calculation,  judgment, 
and  execution,  is  strongly  developed.  The  conformation  of  his  head, 
however,  is  not  one  that  is  generally  accepted  as  an  indication  of  any 
marked  possession  of  philoprogenitiveness  or  its  kindred  emotions  and 
inclinations.  His  nose  is  aquiline,  bloodless  and  obtrusive.  When  he 
speaks  it  is  with  a  high  nasal  enunciation  that  is  not  disagreeable, 
because  it  is  not  prolonged,  and  his  sentences  justify  every  impression 
that  has  already  been  formed  of -the  man.  They  are  short,  crisp,  em- 
phatic and  expressive. 

"  'I  have  an  aversion  to  speech,'  he  said.  'I  am  an  enemy  of  publica- 
tions. I  prefer  to  act,  not  to  talk.  I  am  here  to  restore  peace.  When 
peace  is  in  the  land  I  am  going  away.  T  am  a  soldier.  When  I  am 
gone,  politicians  will  reconstruct  Cuba,  and  probably  they  will  upset 
things  again  until  they  are  as  bad  as  they  are  now.  I  care  not  for 
America,  England,  anyone,  but  only  for  the  treaties  we  have  with 
them.'  They  are  the  law.  I  observe  the  law,  and  every  letter  of  the 
law.  I  have  my  ideas  of  Cuba's  relation  to  Spain.  I  have  never  ex- 
pressed them.  Some  politicians  would  agree  with  them,  others  would 
not.  No  one  would  agree  with  all  of  them.  I  know  I  am  merciless, 
but  mercy  has  no  place  in  war.  I  know  the  reputation  which  has  been 
built  up  for  me.  Things  that  are  charg'ed  to  me  were  done  by  officers 
under  me,  and  I  was  held  responsible  for  all  things  in  the  Ten- Years' 
war,  including  its  victorious  end.  I  do  not  conceal  the  fact  that  I 
am  here  solely  because  it  is  believed  I  can  crush  this  insurrection.  I 


WEYLER  THE  BUTCHER.  229 

care  not  what  is  said  about  me,  unless  it  is  a  lie  so  great  as  to  occasion 
alarm.    I  am  not  a  politician.    I  am  Weyler.' " 

A  Woman's  Interview  with  Weyler. 

The  following  interview  with  the  "Butcher"  is  by  Mrs.  Kate  Mas- 
terson,  who  bearded  the  lion  in  his  den  for  an  American  newspaper: 

"His  Excellency,  Captain-General  Weyler,  graciously  gave  me  an 
audience  to-day.  He  received  me  with  most  charming  courtesy, 
escorted  me  through  his  apartments  and  presented  me  with  a  bunch 
of  roses  from  his  own  table.  Before  I  left  he  had  honored  me  with  an 
invitation  to  dine  with  him  at  the  Palace. 

"'Your  Excellency/  I  said  to  him  through  my  interpreter,  'the 
American  women  have  a  very  bad  opinion  of  you.  I  am  very  much 
afraid  of  you  myself,  but  I  have  come  to  ask  the  honor  of  an  interview 
with  you,  in  order  that  I  may  write  something  which  will  reassure  the 
women  of  America  that  you  are  not  treating  women  and  children  un- 
mercifully.' 

"  'I  do  not  give  interviews/  he  said.  'I  am  willing,  however,  to 
answer  any  question  you  wish  to  ask.' 

"  'In  the  United  States/  I  said,  'an  impression  prevails  that  your 
edict  shutting  out  newspaper  correspondents  from  the  field  is  only  to 
conceal  cruelties  perpetrated  upon  the  insurgent  prisoners.  Will  your 
Excellency  tell  me  the  real  cause?' 

"  'I  have/  replied  the  General,  'shut  out  the  Spanish  and  Cuban 
papers  from  the  field,  as  well  as  the  American.  In  the  last  war  the 
correspondents  created  much  jealousy  by  what  they  wrote.  They 
praised  one  and  rebuked  the  other.  They  wrote  what  the  prisoners 
dictated,  instead  of  facts.  They  even  created  ill-feeling  between  the 
Spanish  officers.  They  are  a  nuisance.' 

"  'Then  I  can  deny  the  stories  as  to  your  being  cruel?' 

"The  General  shrugged  his  heavy  shoulders  as  he  s&id  carelessly: 
'I  have  no  time  to  pay  attention  to  stories.  Some  of  them  are  true  and 
some  are  not.  If  you  will  particularize  I  will  give  direct  answers,  but 
these  things  are  not  important.' 

"  'Does  not  your  Excellency  think  that  prisoners  of  war  should  be 
treated  with  consideration  and  mercy?' 

"The  General's  eyes  glinted  dangerously.  'The  Spanish  columns 
attend  to  their  prisoners  just  as  well  as  any  other  country  in  time  of 


230  WEYLEE  THE  BUTCHER. 

war,'  lie  replied.    'War  is  war.    You  cannot  make  it  otherwise,  try  as 
you  will.' 

"  'Will  not  your  Excellency  allow  me  to  go  to  the  scene  of  battle 
under  an  escort  of  soldiers,  if  necessary,  that  I  may  write  of  the  situa- 
tion as  it  really  is,  and  correct  the  impression  that  prevails  in  Amer- 
ica that  inhuman  treatment  is  being  accorded  to  the  insurgent  pris- 
oners?' 

"  'Impossible/  answered  the  General.    'It  would  not  be  safe/ 

"  'I  am  willing  to  take  all  the  danger,  if  your  Excellency  will  allow 
me  to  go,'  I  exclaimed. 

"General  Weyler  laughed.  'There  would  be  no  danger  from  the 
rebels,'  he  said,  'but  from  the  Spanish  soldiers.  They  are  of  a  very 
affectionate  disposition  and  would  all  fall  in  love  with  you.' 

"  'I  will  keep  a  great  distance  from  the  fighting,  if  you  will  allow 
me  to  go.' 

"The  General's  lips  closed  tightly,  and  he  said:  'Impossible!  Im- 
possible!' 

"  'What  would  happen,'  I  asked,  'if  I  should  be  discovered  cross- 
ing the  lines  without  permission?' 

"  'You  would  be  treated  just  the  same  as  a  man.' 

"'Would  I  be  sent  to  Castle  Morro?' 

"  'Yes,'  he  replied,  nodding  his  head  vigorously.  That  settled  it.  I 
decided  not  to  go. 

"  'Why,'  I  asked  him,  'is  the  rule  incommunicado  placed  upon  pris 
oners?    Is  it  not  cruel  to  prevent  a  man  from  seeing  his  wife  and  chil-c 
dren?' 

"  'The  rule  incommunicado,'  said  the  General,  'is  a  military  law. 
Prisoners  are  allowed  to  see  their  relatives  as  a  favor,  but  we  exercise 
discretion  in  these  cases.' 

"  'There  are  stories  that  prisoners  are  shot  in  Castle  Morro  at  day- 
break each  morning,  and  that  the  shots  can  be  plainly  heard  across 
the  bay.  Is  this  true?' 

"The  General's  eyes  looked  unpleasant  again.  'It  is  false!'  he  said 
shortly.  'The  prisoners  go  through  a  regular  court-martial,  and  no 
one  could  be  shot  at  Morro  without  my  orders,  and  I  have  not  given 
orders  to  shoot  anyone  since  I  have  been  here.' 

"  'Do  you  not  think  it  very  cruel  that  innocent  women  and  children 
should  be  made  to  suffer  in  time  of  war?' 

"  'No  innocent  women  and  children  do  suffer.    It  is  only  those  who 


WEYLEB  THE  BUTCHER.  231 

leave  their  homes  and  take  part  in  battle  who  are  injured.  It  is  only 
the  rebels  who  destroy  peaceful  homes.' 

"  'It  is  reported/  I  said,  'that  thirty  women  are  fighting  under 
Maceo.  Is  this  true?' 

"  'Yes,'  replied  the  General.  'We  took  one  woman  yesterday.  She 
was  dressed  in  man's  clothes  and  was  wielding  a  machete.  She  is  now 
in  Morro  Castle.  These  women  are  fiercer  than  men.  Many  of  them 
are  mulattoes.  This  particular  woman  was  white.' 

"  'What  will  be  her  fate?' 

"  'She  wrill  go  through  the  regular  form  of  trial.' 

"  'Will  no  mercy  be  shown  her?' 

"  'Mercy  is  always  shown  to  a  woman.  While  the  law  is  the  same 
for  both  sexes,  there  is  a  clause  which  admits  of  mercy  to  a  woman.' 

"  'There  are  several  Cuban  women  insurgents  in  Morro  and  the 
Cabanas.  Would  your  Excellency,'  I  asked,  'allow  me  to  visit  them?' 

"  'No,'  he  said.  'There  is  a  law  that  no  foreigner  shall  enter  our 
fortresses.  It  is  a  military  law.  We  can  make  no  exceptions.  You 
understand  that  I  do  not  wish  to  be  discourteous,  senorita.' 

"  'Some  of  these  women,'  I  continued,  'are  said  to  be  imprisoned 
for  merely  having  Cuban  flags  in  their  homes.  Is  this  possible?' 

"  'Treason,'  exclaimed  the  General,  'is  always  a  crime,  punishable 
by  imprisonment.' 

"  'There  is  a  newspaper  correspondent  at  present  in  Morro.  What 
was  his  crime?' 

"The  General  shrugged  his  shoulders  again.  'I  know  nothing 
about  him,'  he  said.  'I  think  he  has  been  freed.' 

"  'Do  you  not  think  the  life  of  a  newspaper  correspondent  in 
Havana  is  at  present  a  most  unhappy  one?' 

"  'I  think  it  must  be,  for  they  make  me  unhappy.  If  they  were  all 
like  you  it  would  be  a  pleasure.' 

"  'Is  it  true  that  thumbscrews  are  used  to  extort  confessions  from 
prisoners?' 

"  'Not  by  the  Spaniards.  Rebels  use  all  these  things,  similar  to 
those  that  were  used  in  the  Inquisition  tortures.' 

"  'What  does  your  Excellency  think  of  the  Cubans  as  a  race?  Do 
you  not  think  them  progressive  and  brave?' 

"  'With  the  progress  of  all  nations  the  Cubans  have  progressed,' 
he  replied.  'There  are  many  Cubans  in  sympathy  with  Spain,  but  this 
insurrection  is  a  blot  upon  the  Cuban  race  which  nothing  can  ever 


232  WEYLER   THE    BUTCHER. 

erase.  It  is  a  stain  made  with  the  blood  of  the  slain  and  the  tears  of 
the  women.  It  injures  the  Cubans  themselves  more  than  any  other.' " 

In  spite  of  Weyler's  boasts  when  he  assumed  command  of  the 
Spanish  forces  in  Cuba  that  he  would  quickly  put  down  the  insurrec- 
tion, his  failure  was  as  complete  as  that  of  General  Campos  had  been, 
and  his  recall  was  finally  demanded.  In  his  letter  of  protest  to  the 
home  government  he  said: 

"If  the  functions  with  which  the  government  had  entrusted  me  had 
been  merely  those  of  Governor  General  of  Cuba,  I  should  have  hastened 
to  resign.  But  the  twofold  character  of  my  mission  and  my  duty  as 
commander-in-chief  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  prevent  my  tendering  a 
resignation. 

"Nevertheless,  although  I  can  rely  upon  the  absolute,  unconditional 
support  of  the  autonomist  and  constitutional  parties,  as  well  as  upon 
public  opinion,  this  would  be  insufficient  without  the  confidence  of  the 
government,  now  more  than  ever  necessary  to  me  after  the  censure  of 
which  I  have  been  made  the  object  by  the  members  and  journals  of  the 
Liberal  party  and  by  public  opinion  in  the  United  States,  which  latter 
is  largely  influenced  by  the  former.  This  confidence  would  be  necessary 
to  enable  me  to  put  an  end  to  the  war,  which  has  already  been  virtually 
concluded  from  our  lines  at  Jucaro  to  Cape  Antonio." 

Senor  Sagasta  replied:  "I  thank  you  for  your  explanation  and  value 
your  frankness,  I  wish  to  assure  you  that  the  government  recognizes 
your  services  and  values  them  as  they  deserve,  but  it  thinks  a  change  of 
policy,  in  order  to  succeed,  requires  that  the  authorities  should  be  at 
one  with  the  ministry." 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 
CUBA  UNDER  THE  SCOURGE. 

The  Civil  Guards  and  Their  Crimes — Horrible  Murder  of  Eight  Innocent 
Men — A  Man  After  Weyler's  Own  Heart — How  the  Spanish  Gain 
"Victories" — Life,  Liberty  and  Property  Sacrificed — The  War  Not  a 
Race  War — Resistance  to  the  Bitter  End. 

Cuba  has  been  under  martial  law  for  over  fifty  years,  and  its  en- 
forcement by  the  Civil  guards  (as  the  officers  appointed  by  the  Spanish 
government  are  called)  has  been  responsible  for  innumerable  out- 
rages against  the  lives  and  property  of  the  inhabitants.  These  officials 
have  been  guilty  of  every  crime  in  the  calendar,  but  protected  by  their 
positions  they  have  escaped  legal  punishment,  and  it  has  only  been  on 
occasions  when,  driven  to  desperation,  the  people  have  acted  as  judges 
and  executioners  by  taking  the  law  into  their  own  hands  that  any  re- 
dress has  been  possible. 

If  for  any  reason  these  guards  wish  to  persecute  a  man,  the  fact 
that  he  is  a  non-combatant  is  no  protection  to  him,  nor  to  his  family. 
They  have  been  the  means  of  adding  to  the  ranks  of  the  insurrection- 
ists, for  frequently  the  man  who  has  seen  his  relatives  and  friends 
shot  before  his  eyes,  to  satisfy  some  personal  spite,  or  in  order  that 
some  officer  may  get  credit  for  a  battle,  has  left  his  fields  and  gone  to 
strike  a  manly  blow  for  his  country  and  his  home. 

The  story  of  eight  peaceable  white  men,  who*  were  shot  without 
trial,  at  Campo  Florida,  near  Havana,  will  serve  as  an  example  of 
the  work  of  these  fiends. 

These  poor  fellows  were  arrested,  their  arms  were  tied,  and  they 
were  taken  to  the  police  station.  One  of  them  had  just  completed  a 
coffin  for  a  woma<n,  and  he  was  dragged  to  the  station  with  a  rope 
about  his  neck.  The  next  day,  without  even  the  pretense  of  a  trial, 
they  were  taken  two  at  a  time  into  a  ravine  near  the  fort,  where  a 
trench  had  been  lately  dug,  and  in  spite  of  the  most  pitiful  pleas  for 
mercy,  they  were  shot  down  in  cold  blood  by  the  cruel  guards,  who 
seemed  to  take  fiendish  delight  in  their  work  of  blood. 

The  following  statement  was  sent  by  Cuban  patriots,  with  the 

233 


234  CUBA  UNDER  THE  SCOURGE. 

request  that  it  be  given  the  widest  publicity  possible,  among  the  peo 
pie  of  the  United  States: 

"If  the  government  that  unhappily  rules  the  destinies  of  this  un- 
fortunate country  should  be  true  to  the  most  rudimentary  principles 
of  justice  and  morality,  Colonel  Jull,  who  has  been  recently  appointed 
Military  Governor  of  Matanzas  province,  should  be  in  the  galleys 
among  criminals.  It  is  but  a  short  time  since  he  was  relieved  by 
General  Martinez  Campos  of  the  military  command  at  Cienfuegos,  as 
he  had  not  once  engaged  any  of  the  insurgent  forces,  but  vented  all 
his  ferocious  instincts  against  innocent  and  inoffensive  peasants. 

"In  Yaguaramas,  a  small  town  near  Cienfuegos,  he  arrested  as  sus- 
pects and  spies  Mr.  Antonio  Morejon,  an  honest  and  hard-working 
man,  and  Mr.  Ygnacio  Chapi,  who  is  well  advanced  in  years,  and 
almost  blind.  Not  being  able  to  prove  the  charge  against  them,  as 
they  were  innocent,  he  ordered  Major  Moreno,  of  the  Barcelona  bat- 
talion, doing  garrison  duty  at  Yaguaramas,  to  kill  them  with  the 
machete  and  have  them  buried  immediately.  Major  Moreno  answered 
that  he  was  a  gentleman,  who  had  come  to  fight  for  the  integrity  of 
his  country,  and  not  to  commit  murder.  This  displeased  the  colonel 
sorely,  but,  unfortunately,  a  volunteer  sergeant,  with  six  others,  was 
willing  to  execute  the  order  of  the  colonel,  and  Morejon  and  Chapi 
were  murdered  without  pity. 

"The  order  of  Jull  was  executed  in  the  most  cruel  manner.  It  hor- 
rifies to  even  think  of  it.  Mr.  Chapi,  who -knew  the  ways  of  Colonel 
Jull^  on  being  awakened  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  notified 
by  the  guard  that  he  and  Morejon  had  to  go  out,  suspected  what  was 
to  come,  and  told  his  companion  to  cry  out  for  help  as  soon  as  they 
were  taken  out  of  the  fort.  They  did  so,  but  those  who  were  to  exe- 
cute the  order  of  Jull  were  neither  moved  nor  weakened  in  their  pur- 
pose. 

A  Horrible  Sight. 

"On  the  contrary,  at  the  first  screams  of  Chapi  and  Morejon  they 
threw  a  lasso  over  their  heads,  and  pulled  at  it  by  the  ends.  In  a 
few  moments  they  fell  to  the  ground  choked  to  death.  They  were 
dragged  on  the  earth,  without  pity,  to  the  place  where  they  were 
buried.  All  this  bloody  scene  was  witnessed  by  Jull  from  a  short  dis- 
tance. Providence  had  not  willed  that  so  much  iniquity  should  re- 
main hidden  forever.  In  the  hurry  the  grave  where  these  two  inno- 


CUBA  UNDER  THE  SCOURGE.  235 

cent  men  were  buried  was  not  dug  deep  enough,  and  part  of  the  rope 
with  which  they  were  choked  remained  outside.  A  neighbor,  looking 
for  a  lost  cow,  saw  the  rope,  took  hold  of  it,  and,  on  pulling,  disin- 
terred the  head  of  one  of  the  victims.  He  was  terror  stricken,  and 
immediately  gave  notice  to  the  judge,  who,  on  ascertaining  that  the 
men  had  been  killed  by  order  of  Colonel  Jull,  suspended  proceedings. 

"The  neighbors  and  all  the  civil  and  military  authorities  know 
everything  that  has  been  related  here,  but  such  is  the  state  of  affairs 
on  the  island  that  General  Weyler  has  no  objection  to  appointing  this 
monster,  Colonel  Jull,  Military  Governor  of  Matanzas.  Such  deeds 
as  those  enumerated  are  common.  The  people  of  the  town  of  Matan- 
zas, with  Jull  as  Governor,  and  Arolas  at  the  head  of  a  column,  will 
suffer  in  consequence  of  their  pernicious  and  bloody  instincts. 

"That  the  readers  may  know  in  part  who  General  Arolas  is,  it  may 
be  well  to  relate  what  has  happened  in  the  Mercedes  estate,  near 
Colon.  It  having  come  to  his  knowledge  that  a  small  body  of  rebels 
was  encamped  on  the  sugar  estate  Mercedes,  of  Mr.  Oarrillo,  General 
Arolas  went  to  engage  them,  but  the  rebels,  who  were  few  in  num- 
bers, retreated.  Much  vexed  at  not  being  able  to  discharge  one  shot 
at  them,  he  made  prisoners  of  three  workmen  who  were  out  in  the  field 
herding  the  animals  of  the  estate  and  without  any  formality  of  trial 
shot  them.  When  the  bodies  were  taken  to  the  Central  they  were 
recognized,  and  to  cover  his  responsibility  somewhat,  General  Arolas 
said  that  when  he  challenged  them  they  ran  off,  and  at  the  first  dis- 
charge of  musketry  they  fell  dead1." 

Life,  Liberty  and  Property  Sacrificed. 

Life,  liberty  and  property  have  all  been  sacrificed  by  these  deter- 
mined patriots  for  the  sake  of  the  cause  they  love.  Their  towns  have 
been  burned,  their  homes  pillaged,  their  wives  and  children  starved, 
and  in  many  sections  of  the  island  nothing  but  ruin  and  waste  meets 
the  eye.  Even  their  sick  and  wounded  are  not  safe  from  the  oppress- 
or's sword,  and  wherever  the  insurgents  have  a  hospital,  they  have  a 
garrison  to  protect  it.  Each  of  the  six  provinces  has  an  insurgent  hos- 
pital, with  a  staff  of  physicans  and  nurses,  and  a  detachment  of  the 
army. 

The  largest  of  these  lies  in  that  part  of  Santa,  Clara  called  the  Isth- 
mus of  Zapata.  It  is  a  wild,  swampy  region,  through  which  the  na- 


236  CUBA  UNDER  THE  SCOURGE. 

tives  alone  can  distinguish  those  precarious  tracks,  where  the  slight- 
est deviation  means  being  engulfed  in  the  treacherous  morass. 

A  Determined  Resistance. 

A  prominent  Cuban,  who  may  be  said  to  speak  for  his  entire  race, 
makes  this  declaration: 

"The  population  of  the  island  is,  in  round  numbers,  1,600,000,  of 
which  less  than  200,000  are  Spaniards,  some  500,000  are  colored  Cu- 
bans, and  over  800,000  white  Cubans.  Of  the  Spaniards,  a  small  but 
not  inconsiderable  fraction,  although  not  taking  an  active  part  in  the 
defense  of  our  cause,  sympathize  with,  and  are  supporting  it  in  various 
ways.  Of  the  Cubans,  whether  colored  or  white,  all  are  in  sympathy 
with  the  revolution,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  scattered  individuals 
who  hold  positions  under  the  Spanish  government  or  are  engaged  in 
enterprises  which  cannot  thrive  without  it.  All  of  the  Cubans  who 
have  had  the  means  and  the  opportunity  to  join  the  revolutionary  army 
have  done  so,  while  those  who  have  been  compelled  for  one  reason  or 
another  to  remain  in  the  cities  are  co-operating  to  the  best  of  their 
abilities.  If  the  people  of  the  small  section  of  the  western  part  of  the 
island,  which  yet  remains  quiet,  were  supplied  with  arms  and  ammu- 
nition they  would  rise,  to  a  man,  within  twenty-four  hours. 

''This  revolution  of  the  whole  Cuban  people  against  the  govern- 
ment of  Spain  is  what  the  Spanish  officials  are  pleased  to  describe  as 
a  disturbance  caused  by  a  few  adventurers,  robbers,  bandits,  and 
assassins!  But  they  have  a  purpose  in  so  characterizing  it,  and  it  is 
no  other  than  to  justify,  in  some  way,  the  war  of  extermination  which 
the  Prime  Minister  of  Spain  himself  has  declared  will  be  waged  by 
his  government  against  the  Cuban  people.  They  are  not  yet  satisfied 
with  the  rivers  of  human  blood  with  which  in  times  past  they  inun- 
dated the  fields  of  Italy,  of  the  Low  Countries,  of  our  continent  of 
America,  and  only  a  few  years  ago,  of  Cuba  itself.  The  Spanish  news- 
paper of  Havana,  'El  Pueblo,'  urges  the  Spanish  soldiers  to  give  no 
quarter,  to  spare  no  one,  to  kill  all,  all  without  exception,  until  they 
shall  have  torrents  of  Cuban  blood  in  which  to  bathe  themselves.  It 
is  well.  The  Cubans  accept  the  challenge,  but  they  will  not  imitate 
their  tyrants  and  cover  themselves  with  infamy  by  waging  a  savage 
war.  The  Cubans  respect  the  lives  of  their  Spanish  prisoners,  they 
do  not  attack  hospitals,  and  they  cure  and  assist  with  the  same  care 
and  solicitude  with  which  they  cure  and  assist  their  own,  the  wounded 


CUBA  UNDER  THE  SCOURGE.  239 

Spaniards  who  may  fall  into  their  hands.    They  have  done  so  from  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  and  they  will  not  change  their  humane  policy. 

"The  Spanish  officials  have  also  attempted  to  convince  you  that 
the  Cuban  war  is  a  war  of  races.  Of  what  races?  Of  the  black  against 
the  white?  It  is  not  true,  and  the  facts  plainly  show  that  there  is 
nothing  of  the  kind.  Nor  is  the  war  waged  by  Cubans  against  the 
Spaniards  as  such.  No.  The  war  is  waged  against  the  government  e>f 
Spain,  and  only  against  the  government  of  Spain  and  the  officials  and 
a  few  monopolists,  who,  under  it,  live  and  thrive  upon  the  substance 
of  the  Cubans.  We  have  no  ill  feeling  against  the  thousands  of  Span- 
iards who  industriously  and  honestly  make  their  living  in  Cuba. 

"But  with  the  Spanish  government  we  will  make  no  peace,  and  we 
will  make  no  compromise.     Under  its  rule  there  will  be  nothing  for 
our  people  but  oppression  and  misery.    For  years  and  years  the  Cubap. 
people  have  patiently  suffered,  and  in  the  interests  of  the  colony,  as 
well  as  in  the  interests  of  the  metropolis,  have  earnestly  prayed  for 
reforms.      Spain  has  not  only  turned  a  .deaf  ear  to  the  prayers,  but 
instead  of  reforming  the  most  glaring  abuses,  has  allowed  them  to 
increase  and  flourish,  until  such  a  point  has  been  reached  that  the  con 
tinuation  of  Spanish  rule  means  for  the  Cuban  people  utter  destruc 
tion." 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

FITZHUGH    LEE    TO    THE    FRONT. 

Importance  of  the  American  Consulate  at  Havana  in  a  Critical  Time — Gen- 
eral Fitzhugh  Lee  the  Man  for  the  Place — Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Lee — 
A  Nation's  Confidence  in  Its  Popular  Hero — How  He  Left  Havana  and 
How  He  Promised  to  Return — Wife  and  Family  of  General  Leer— 
His  Place  During  the  Early  Period  of  the  War. 

Never  was  there  a  more  genuine  and  typical  American  gentleman 
in  a  difficult  position  where  a  genuine  and  typical  American  gentleman 
was  needed,  than  Fitzhugh  Lee,  the  American  consul-general  at  Havana 
during  the  most  critical  time  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  our  war  with 
Spain.  The  Cuban  consul  generalship  is  an  office  of  much  greater  im- 
portance than  others  of  the  same  name  in  other  countries  where  diplo- 
matic representatives  are  maintained.  It  includes  the  obligations  of 
diplomacy  as  well  as  those  of  commerce,  and  Lee  was  the  man  for  both. 

His  predecessor  in  the  office,  Ramon  Williams,  had  held  the  position 
for  many  years  and  it  was  recognized  by  him  as  well  as  by  the  authori- 
ties at  Washington  that  a  change  should  be  made  because  of  the  un- 
usual demands  upon  the  office.  His  long  and  faithful  service  in  the 
tropical  country  had  undermined  his  health  so  that  his  energies  were 
lessened  thereby,  at  a  time  when  they  were  most  needed  for  the 
safety  of  American  interests. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1896  that  President  Cleveland,  believing  that 
a  man  of  unusual  ability  should  represent  the  United  States  at 
Havana,  chose  Fitzhugh  Lee  for  the  post.  The  selection  was  approved 
from  the  first  by  everyone  who  knew  him,  and  not  many  months  had 
passed  until  General  Lee  became  an  idol  and  a  hero  of  the  whole 
American  people. 

His  Havana  record  has  been  no  surprise  to  those  who  knew  of  his 
exploits  during  the  war,  or  of  his  family.  Blood  will  tell,  and  it  has  told 
in  the  case  of  General  Lee.  His  family  has  always  been  famous  in 
American  history.  How  could  the  grandson  of  "Lighthorse  Harry, 
the  Revolutionary  hero,"  or  the  nephew  of  Robert  E.  Lee,  be  anything 
else  but  courageous  and  possessed  of  tact  and  common  sense? 

240 


FITZHUGH  LEE  TO  THE  FRONT.  241 

The  son  of  a  naval  officer,  he  preferred  the  army  as  a  career.  Gradu- 
ating from  West  Point,  he  fought  on  the  frontier  for  six  years  before  the 
opening  of  the  Kebellion,  and  was  engaged  in  several  desperate  en- 
counters with  the  Oomanche  Indians  in  Texas.  On  one  of  these  occa- 
sions he  was  pierced  through  the  lungs  by  an  arrow,  but  he  lived  to  tell 
the  story.  On  another  occasion  he  grappled  with  a  big  Indian  in  a  hand- 
to-hand  encounter,  tjirew  his  antagonist  on  the  ground  and  killed  him. 

Though  only  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  Lee  was  an  instructor  in 
cavalry  tactics  at  West  Point  when  the  war  broke  out.  He  "followed  his 
State"  into  the  secession  movement.  His  war  record  is  a  matter  of 
pride  to  every  Virginian.  The  dashing  young  officer  was  an  ideal 
trooper,  fearing  nothing  and  loved  by  his  men.  He  was  modest,  too. 
After  some  brilliant  movement  of  personal  valor  his  brigade  formed  in 
a  body  and  determined  to  serenade  him  at  his  headquarters,  expecting, 
of  course,  a  speech.  But  Lee  got  an  inkling  of  the  matter,  and  when  he 
saw  them  coming  he  slipped  out  of  his  tent  and  hid  in  the  bushes. 
After  the  disappointed  troopers  had  called  for  him  in  vain  and  dis- 
persed he  peeped  furtively  from  his  hiding  place,  and  in  a  subdued 
tone  asked,  "Have  they  gone?" 

Composure  in  Battle. 

General  Lee  possessed  remarkable  composure  in  battle.  He  never 
got  the  least  rattled  under  the  most  trying  conditions,  except  at  Saylor's 
Creek,  on  the  retreat  from  Petersburg;  he  never  betrayed  anxiety,  and, 
though  often  under  a  rattling  fire,  no  one  ever  saw  him  dodge.  This 
cannot  be  said  of  many  of  the  gravest  men.  Sometimes  a  bullet  will  un- 
expectedly whizz  close  to  one's  head,  and  the  impulse  to  dodge  is  almost 
irresistible,  though  it  never  did  anybody  any  good. 

One  of  the  officers  with  him  said  once  that  the  only  time  he  had 
been  moved  by  the  enemy's  fire  was  at  the  battle  of  Winchester.  He 
and  General  Early  met  under  an  apple  tree  near  the  summit  of  a  hill 
and  in  a  very  exposed  place.  There  was  no  firing  at  the  time,  but  while 
the  two  generals,  still  on  their  horses,  were  intently  examining  a  map, 
one  shot  was  fired.  It  fell  short  and  they  paid  no  attention  to  it.  But 
lo!  another  came,  struck  the  apple  tree  just  above  their  heads,  and  as 
the  apples  rained  down  on  them  they  concluded  the  map  could  be  bet- 
ter examined  in  a  less  exposed  position — a  conclusion  in  which  all 
others  agreed  with  remarkable  unanimity.  And  nobody  stopped  to  get 
apples. 


242  FITZHUGH  LEE  TO  THE  FRONT. 

General  Lee  is  a  superb  horseman.  He  rode  a  splendid  mare  named 
Nellie.  She  had  the  form,  the  strength,  the  nimbleness  of  limb,  the 
tapering  neck,  the  alert  poise  of  the  head,  the  bright  and  intelligent  eyes 
that  made  her  a  model  worthy  to  bear  any  master.  She  was  all  grace 
and  beauty.  When  the  confederate  columns  were  broken  in  the  same 
battle  and  the  rout  began,  for  it  was  little  less,  General  Lee  was  at  a 
very  exposed  point.  The  fire  of  thirty  pieces  of  artillery  was  directed 
against  it.  The  air  was  full  of  exploding  shells;  horses  were  plunging 
about  on  three  legs,  neighing  piteously  for  a  place  of  refuge;  others 
were  disemboweled  by  the  furious  shot;  others  were  loose,  running  to 
and  fro,  bewildered  by  the  terrible  havoc,  while  the  mutilated  bodies 
of  men  could  be  seen  on  every  hand;  numbers  who  were  crippled  were 
hobbling  away,  and  all  seemed  doomed  to  death.  It  was  here  that  the 
beautiful  Nellie  was  gored  by  one  fragment  of  shell  and  her  master's 
leg  torn  by  another. 

He  was  noted  for  his  geniality  and  jollity.  He  loved  humor  and  fun, 
and  got  all  there  was  to  be  had  in  those  trying  times.  But  his  cheerful- 
ness failed  aft  Appomattox.  There  he  cried. 

After  the  war  had  ended,  General  Lee  settled  in  Stafford  County  as 
a  farmer  and  miller.  His  life  was  the  quiet  and  uneventful  one  of  a 
country  gentleman,  caring  for  nothing  but  his  wife,  whom  he  married 
in  1871,  and  his  children.  About  1875  he  began  to  take  an  active  part  in 
politics,  and  he  attended  the  national  convention  of  1876  as  a  delegate. 
In  1885  he  was  elected  governor  of  Virginia.  It  was  then  that  he  again 
became  conspicuous.  General  Lee  headed  the  southern  division  of  the 
inauguration  parade,  and  his  handsome  presence  and  splendid  horse- 
manship forced  the  men  on  the  sidewalks  to  cheer  him  with  more  vim 
than  they  did  anyone  else.  A  similar  demonstration  occurred  when, 
four  years  later,  General  Lee  led  the  Virginia  troops  in  the  Washington 
centennial  parade  in  New  York  to  the  stirring  tune  of  "Dixie."  On  both 
of  these  occasions  he  sat  in  the  identical  saddle  which  his  uncle,  General 
Robert  E.  Lee,  had  used  on  his  familiar  gray  war  horse,  Traveler.  Who 
could  occupy  it  more  worthily?  Any  one  who  has  seen  "Fitz"  Lee 
mounted  like  a  centaur  on  a  Virginia  thoroughbred  is  certain  to  have  in 
memory  ever  afterward  an  ideal  figure  of  a  knightly  "man  on  horse- 
back." Afoot  he  is  not  so  imposing,  being  only  of  medium  stature,  and, 
of  late  years,  quite  portly.  He  has  a  fine  head  and  face,  with  frank  steel 
blue  eyes  and.  a  ruddy  complexion,  set  off  by  his  now  almost  white  hair, 


FITZHUGH  LEE  TO  THE  FRONT.  343 

mustache  and  imperial.    His  bearing  is  alert  and  military.    Altogether, 
le  does  not  look,  and  probably  does  not  feel,  his  sixty-two  years. 

During  Mr.  Cleveland's  second  term  he  was  made  collector  of  in- 
ternal revenue  at  Lynchburg,  Va. 

The  Man  for  the  Place  at  Havana. 

Once  settled  in  his  position  in  Havana,  General  Lee's  fame  began 
to  multiply.  The  American  opinion  of  him  was  voiced  immediately 
after  the  destruction  of  the  Maine,  by  L.  P.  Sigsbee,  the  brother  of 
the  commander  of  that  ill-fated  ship,  when  he  said:  "There's  a,  man 
down  there  looking  after  the  interests  of  this  country  who  cannot  be 
blinded.  He  has  more  sand  than  anybody  I  know  of,  and  if  there's 
anything  treacherous  in  this  explosion  we'll  know  of  it  without  delay. 
The  man  I  mean  is  General  Fitzhugh  Lee." 

The  same  thought  occurred  to  every  American  who  had  watched 
his  career.  From  first  to  last  everybody  had  confidence  in  his  Ameri- 
canism, his  bravery  and  his  cool-headedness.  He  held  his  office  through 
merit  alone,  no  politician  gaining  any  success  in  the  effort  to  win  from 
him  that  position  of  distinction  and  profit,  after  the  change  of  admin- 
istration when  President  McKinley  assumed  the  executive  chair.  The 
nation  recognized  that  he  was  first  an  American  and  an  interference 
with  him  on  partisan  grounds  would  not  have  been  tolerated. 

Jealous  of  American  honor,  and  firm  in  insisting  upon  the  rights 
of  his  countrymen,  he  has  always  kept  cool.  Courteous  and  polite  as 
well  as  courageous,  he  has  never  blustered  and  he  has  won  the  re- 
spect and  admiration  of  the  Spaniards  as  well  as  their  fear. 

Throughout  his  service  in  Cuba,  General  Lee's  figure  was  a  famil- 
iar one  in  Havana,  and  even  by  those  most  antagonistic  to  him  be- 
cause of  their  official  position,  he  was  heartily  admired.  No  matter 
what  the  threat  of  violence  from  hot-headed  Spaniards,  when  the  re- 
lations were  most  strained  between  the  two  countries,  General  Lee 
never  admitted  the  slightest  danger  to  himself  and  refused  to  accept 
any  guard  except  that  which  he  himself  was  able  to  maintain  for  him- 
self. Upon  the  streets  and  in  the  hotels  and  cafes  he  was  exempt  from 
disrespect  by  the  sheer  force  of  his  splendid  personality.  And  never 
until  the  last  day  of  his  stay  in  Havana  when  all  diplomatic  relations 
were  severed,  did  the  Spanish  authorities  in  that  city  omit  any  of  the 
forms  of  courtesy. 


244  PITZHUGH  LEE  TO  THE  FROKT. 

General  Lee  Promises  to  Return. 

On  that  day,  when  in  company  with  the  British  Consul  General  he 
went  to  bid  farewell  to  Captain  General  Blanco,  the  latter  refused  to 
see  him  upon  the  excuse  that  he  was  too  busy.  When  the  homeward 
voyage  was  actually  begun,  in  the  little  boat  that  carried  to  the 
steamer  the  Consul  General  and  the  last  newspaper  correspondents 
who  remained  in  Havana  till  the  end,  the  malice  of  the  Spanish  on- 
lookers at  the  docks  could  restrain  itself  no  longer.  With  impreca- 
tions and  scornful  and  insulting  epithets  they  raised  their  voices 
against  him.  With  proper  dignity  General  Lee  ignored  it  all,  except 
to  say  in  one  definite  last  message,  that  he  would  be  back  again  before 
long  with  troops  to  stand  by  him. 

In  his  office  in  the  consulate  at  Havana,  General  Lee  gained  the 
admiration  and  the  confidence  of  every  American  who  had  occasion 
to  meet  him.  Brave  as  an  American  should  be,  and  equally  gentle 
and  tender-hearted,  he  was  the  man  for  the  place.  The  Spanish  out- 
rages upon  American  citizens  roused  in  him  but  two  sentiments.  One 
was  sympathy  and  grief  for  those  who  suffered.  The  other  was  indig- 
nation and  enmity  against  those  who  were  guilty.  To  the  extent  of 
all  his  power  he  guarded  and  aided  those  for  whom  that  first  senti- 
ment was  roused.  He  left  Cuba  with  an  accumulation  of  detestation 
for  Spanish  outrages  in  that  unhappy  island  against  Americans  and 
Cubans,  that  would  stimulate  to  deeds  of  valor  through  whatever  war- 
fare might  follow  in  which  he  should  be  a  leader.  With  a  great  heart, 
a  brilliant  mind  and  a  magnificent  physique,  General  Lee  combined 
all  the  qualities  which  made  him  worthy  of  the  American  pride  which 
was  centered  upon  him. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
AMERICANS  IN  SPANISH  DUNGEONS. 

Spanish  Hatred  of  the  American  Nation — Instances  of  Injustice — The  Case 
of  Dr.  Ruiz — His  Death  in  a  Dungeon — Julio  Sanguilly — Action  of  the 
United  States  Senate  in  His  Behalf — A  Correspondent  in  Morro  Castle 
— Walter  Dygert's  Experiences — General  Lee  Shows  His  Mettle  in  the 
Case  of  Charles  Scott. 

Not  content  with  their  cruel  and  inhuman  treatment  of  Cuban 
patriots,  the  Spanish  officials  ha.ve  seemed  to  take  special  satisfaction 
in  imprisoning  and  even  murdering  American  citizens  on  the  slightest 
pretext.  The  object  of  their  most  bitter  hatred  is  the  insurgent,  but 
if  they  are  to  be  judged  by  their  deeds,  it  would  appear  that  the  Amer- 
ican occupies  a  close  second  place  in  their  black-list. 

Time  and  again  our  government  has  been  compelled  to  interfere  to 
save  the  lives  of  its  citizens,  and  unfortunately  this  interference  has 
on  several  occasions  been  too  late.  It  is  not  possible  to  present  a  list 
of  all  the  men  and  women  of  American  birth  who  have  lost  life,  lib- 
erty and  property  by  Spanish  authority,  from  the  massacre  of  the  crew 
of  the  Virginius  to  the  wrecking  of  the  Maine,  but  a  few  instances 
may  be  mentioned,  which  will  prove  conclusively  that  the  retribution, 
of  which  the  glorious  victory  in  Manila  bay  was  but  the  commence- 
ment, came  none  too  soon. 

The  Case  of  Dr.  Ruiz. 

One  of  the  most  flagrant  of  these  outrages  was  the  imprisonment 
of  Dr.  Ricardo  Ruiz,  a  Cuban  by  birth,  but  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the 
United  States.  He  was  a  dentist  by  profession,  having  studied  in  a 
Pennsylvania  dental  college,  and  after  receiving  his  diploma,  Tie  re- 
turned to  his  native  country  to  practice  his  profession. 

He  was  accused  of  being  in  sympathy  with  the  revolutionists,  ar- 
rested and  kept  in  prison  for  two  years,  when  he  died,  probably  from 
violence.  In  the  following  letter,  written  from  Havana*  regarding  the 
case,  will  be  seen  the  reasons  for  this  supposition: 

245 


246  AMERICANS  IN  SPANISH  DUNGEONS. 

"Ruiz  died,  according  to  the  surgeons,  from  congestion  of  the 
brain,  caused  by  a  blow  or  blows.  When  General  Lee  and  Mr.  Cal- 
honn  visited  the  jail  in  Guanabacoa,  they  were  shown  the  cell  in  which 
the  Spanish  say  that  Ruiz  died.  The  guard  explained  to  General  Lee 
and  Mr.  Calhoun  that  he  heard  thumping  on  the  inside  of  the  door, 
and  when  he  opened  it  and  went  in,  Ruiz  was  running  at  the  heavy 
door  and  butting  it  with  his  head.  Ruiz  had  only  one  wound  on  the 
top  of  his  head.  Had  he  butted  this  door,  as  the  jailer  says,  his  scalp 
must  necessarily  have  been  lacerated  in  several  places." 

Julio  Sanguilly  is  another  American  citizen  who  was  tried  for 
treason,  and  sentenced  to  life  imprisonment.  This  case  attracted  a 
great  deal  of  attention  in  the  United  States,  and  a  resolution  was 
passed  by  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Senate,  making 
a  demand  on  the  Spanish  government  for  his  release.  During  the  de- 
bate on  this  resolution,  Senator  Daniel,  of  Virginia,  said: 

"Two  years  ago  yesterday,  Julio  Sanguilly,  an  American  citizen, 
was  thrown  into  prison.  Two  years  have  gone  by  and  this  govern- 
ment has  done  practically  nothing  for  this  citizen.  Great  Britain 
would  have  released  him  as  soon  as  one  of  her  battleships  could  reach 
Havana.  He  has  been  brutally  treated  and  condemned  on  unsworn 
testimony  before  military  tribunals.  This  country  and  all  civilization 
have  been  disgraced  by  the  treatment  meted  out  to  this  unfortunate 
man.  Every  citizen  of  this  country  would  have  patriotically  ap- 
plauded the  President  if  he  had  sent  a  fleet  of  American  battleships 
and  compelled  the  release  of  this  American  citizen,  whose  country 
has  been  insulted  by  the  treatment  accorded  to  him  and  to  our  repre- 
sentative in  Cuba," 

The  Prime  Minister  at  Madrid,  realizing  that  trouble  of  a  serious 
nature  was  likely  to  come  from  this  affair,  cabled  Weyler  to  discharge 
the  prisoner  from  custody,  and  banish  him  from  the  island. 

Sanguilly  immediately  came  to  the  United  States,  where  he  was 
warmly  received  by  his  friends,  and  he  has  since  been  actively  engaged 
in  work  for  Cuba's  freedom. 

Charles  Scott,  an  employe,  of  the  American  Gas  Company,  was 
arrested  at  Regla,  charged  with  having  Cuban  postage  stamps  in  his 
possession.  He  was  in  solitary  confinement,  in  a  damp,  empty  cell, 
five  feet  by  eleven,  for  fourteen  days.  Once  during  his  imprisonment 
he  was  left  for  two  days  without  even  a  drop  of  water.  General  Lee, 
then  United  States  Consul  at  Havana,  cabled  to  Washington,  asking 


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AMERICANS  IN  SPANISH  DUNGEONS.  251 

that  arrangements  be  made  to  send  war  vessels  to  Havana,  in  case  of 
necessity,  and  declaring  that  unless  his  requests  were  complied  with, 
he  would  leave  the  island.  In  this  affair,  as  in  many  others,  General 
Lee  proved  that  he  was  the  right  man  in  the  right  place,  for  it  was 
due  to  his  efforts  in  Scott's  behalf  that  he  was  finally  given  his  lib- 
erty. 

Mr.  Charles  Michaelson,  a  newspaper  correspondent,  and  his  inter- 
preter, were  imprisoned  in  Morro  Castle  as  suspects.  It  required  fine 
detective  work  to  discover  this  fact,  for  they  were  missing  for  some  time 
before  it  was  definitely  known  that  they  were  in  the  clutches  of  Wey- 
ler,  but  the  "Butcher"  finally  admitted  it,  and  after  a,  short  delay  was 
persuaded  by  the  United  States  Consul  to  release  them.  Mr.  Michael- 
son's  treatment  wa,s  almost  brutal  in  its  nature. 

The  interior  of  the  castle  is  like  a  dungeon,  and  he  was  compelled 
to  sleep  on  the  floor,  as  a  hammock  sent  to  him  by  friends  outside  was 
not  given  to  him  till  the  d<ay  of  his  release.  His  food  was  thrown  to 
him  through  the  bars  of  the  door,  and  meals  sent  in  to  him  were  eaten 
by  the  guards.  Rats  were  his  constant  companions,  and  when,  occa- 
sionally, he  would  sink  into  a  light  slumber,  he  would  be  suddenly 
awakened  to  find  one  of  the  animals  in  his  hair,  another  burrowing 
under  his  coat,  and  still  another  making  a  meal  on  his  shoes.  On  one 
occasion  he  threw  a  shoe  at  a  ra't,  \vhich  struck  the  door  of  his  cell, 
whereupon  the  guard  threatened  to  punish  him  for  a  breach  of  prison 
discipline,  the  noise  being  against  the  rules. 

Walter  Dygart  relates  his  experience  while  the  enforced  guest  of 
the  Spanish  government.  It  is  evident  that  the  keeper  of  a  prison  in 
Cuba  has  a  profitable  occupation. 

"A  child  may  weep  at  brambles'  smart, 
And  maidens  when  their  lovers  part; 
But  woe  worth  a  country  when 
She  sees  the  tears  of  bearded  men." 

"These  lines  by  the  poet,  Scott,  recurred  to  me  w^hen  I  saw  aged 
men  weeping  and  heart-broken  at  being  separated  from  their  fami- 
lies and  shut  up  in  this  hell.  But  why  does  the  Spanish  government 
shut  up  helpless  cripples  and  non-combatants?  This  is  a  question  that 
puzzled  me  for  some  time,  but  I  finally  solved  it,  and  will  answer  it 
after  I  have  described  the  food  and  water. 

"A  little  after  six  in  the  morning  we  were,  each  of  us,  given  a  very 


253  AMERICANS  IN  SPANISH  DUNGEONS. 

small  cup  of  coffee.  The  first  meal  of  the  day,  if  it  could  be  called  a 
meal,  came  after  nine  o'clock.  It  consisted  of  a  little  rice,  which  was 
generally  dirty,  a  few  small  potatoes,  boiled  with  their  skins  on,  and 
often  partly  rotten,  a  little  piece  of  boiled  salt  beef,  or  beef  cut  up  in 
small  bits,  with  soup,  just  about  half  enough,  and  of  the  poorest 
quality.  The  meat  was  often  spoiled  and  unfit  for  anything  but  a 
vulture  to  eat.  The  second  and  last  meal  of  the  day  came  about  four 
in  the  afternoon,  and  was  the  same  as  the  first. 

"I  had  no  opportunity  to  count  the  prisoners,  but  I  learned  that 
there  were  about  180  on  the  average  confined  there.  I  learned  as 
definitely  as  I  could,  without  seeing  the  contract,  that  a  certain  party 
had  the  contract  to  feed  these  prisoners  at  twenty-five  cents  each  per 
day.  Thus  he  gets  $45  a  day,  and  I  learned  that  the  food  costs  him 
only  $7  to  $8  a  day,  and,  as  some  of  the  prisoners  did  the  cooking,  his 
profit  can  be  readily  seen.  On  such  a  contract  he  could  afford  to 
divide  with  the  judge  and  army  officers  to  keep  the  prison  full." 

A  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  Morro  Castle. 

The  Southern  Baptist  Missionary  Society  has  a  mission  in  the  city 
of  Havana,  and  it  was  formerly  in  charge  of  Kev.  Alberto  J.  Diaz, 
whose  home  is  in  the  United  States.  Ever  loyal  to  his  flag,  and  be- 
lieving in  the  institutions  of  his  country,  he  lost  no  opportunity  to 
preach  civil  as  well  as  religious  liberty,  and  though  often  warned  to 
desist,  by  the  Spanish  authorities,  he  continued  the  course  which  he 
regarded  as  his  solemn  duty.  He  gives  particulars  of  his  arrest  as  fol- 
lows: 

"About  three  o'clock  one  morning  I  was  aroused  by  a  knock  at 
the  door  of  my  house,  and  when  I  opened  it  I  saw  some  fifty  or  sixty 
Spanish  soldiers,  with  their  guns  leveled  at  me.  I  quickly  shut  the 
door  and  talked  through  it.  The  captain  said  he  must  search  the 
house,  and  I  consented  to  let  three  men  come  in.  They  spent  seven 
hours  looking  through  two  trunks  full  of  sermons,  and  other  papers, 
and  when  the  search  was  completed  they  had  found  no  incriminating 
documents." 

Nevertheless,  both  Dr.  Diaz  and  his  brother  were  imprisoned  in 
Morro  Castle.  They  were  tried  for  treasonable  utterances  and  sen- 
tenced to  death.  Fortunately  one  of  the  sentries  of  the  prison  was  a 
member  of  Dr.  Diaz's  church,  and  through  his  kind  offices,  a  message 
was  sent  to  the  president  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Missionary  Society 


AMERICANS  IN  SPANISH  DUNGEONS.  253 

in  Atlanta.  He  communicated  with  the  authorities  at  Washington. 
This  resulted  in  the  execution  being  postponed,  and  the  brothers  were 
accorded  more  humane  treatment  than  they  had  received  heretofore. 

Dr.  Diaz  now  addressed  a  telegram  to  our  Secretary  of  State,  giv- 
ing the  particulars  of  the  arrest,  trial  and  conviction,  and  appealing 
to  him  to  demand  their  immediate  release.  The  message  was  smug- 
gled on  board  a  boat  bound  for  Key  West,  and  Weyler,  hearing  of  it, 
at  once  cabled  to  Washington  that  Diaz  had  been  released.  He,  with 
his  brother  and  his  family,  was  compelled  to  leave  the  island  by  the 
first  steamer,  and  they  returned  to  the  United  States. 

In  our  treaty  with  Spain,  which  was  in  foi*ce  up  to  the  time  of  the 
declaration  of  war,  was  the  following  clause: 

"No  citizen  of  the  United  States,  residing  in  Spain,  her  adjacent 
islands,  or  her  ultramarine  possessions,  charged  with  acts  of  sedition, 
treason,  or  conspiracy  against  the  institutions,  the  public  security,  the 
integrity  of  the  territory,  or  against  the  supreme  government,  or  any 
other  crime  whatsoever,  shall  be  subject  to  trial  by  any  exceptionable 
tribunal,  but  exclusively  by  the  ordinary  jurisdiction,  except  in  the  case 
of  being  captured  with  arms  in  hand." 

This  treaty  was  supposed  to  protect  American  citizens  from  trial 
by  martial  law,  but  it  was  disregarded  by  Spanish  officials  in  Cuba 
time  and  again,  and,  in  fact,  up  to  the  time  of  General  Lee's  arrival 
in  Havana,  an  American  citizen  had  very  little  advantage  over  a  Cuban 
insurgent,  when  the  safety  of  his  property  or  his  person  was  concerned. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 
MACEO  DEAD  BY  TREACHERY. 

A  Great  Leader  in  a  Great  Cause — A  Modern  Judas — The  Worthy  Son  of  a 
Noble  Sire — The  Farewell  Letter — An  Estimate  of  Maceo's  Character 
— Rejoicing  Among  Spanish  Supporters — Their  Mistaken  Belief — Pa- 
triotic Ardor  of  the  Insurgents. 

In  the  death  of  Antonio  Maceo  the  Cuban  cause  lost  one  of  its 
strongest  defenders.  Besides  being  a  man  of  acute  intellect,  and  a  gen- 
eral of  great  military  skill,  he  ha.d  the  rare  gift  of  personal  magnet- 
ism, and  no  one  ever  followed  his  leadership  who  did  not  feel  for  him 
the  devotion  which  often  gives  courage  to  cowards  and  makes  heroes 
in  the  time  of  need. 

That  his  death  was  due  to  treachery  there  is  little  doubt.  Doctor 
Zertucha,  his  physician  and  trusted  friend,  is  accused  of  having  be- 
trayed him  to  the  Spaniards.  An  Insurgent  officer,  who  was  with  the 
general  when  he  received'  his  death  wound,  s'ays  that  they  heard  gun 
shots  in  the  vicinity  of  Punta  Brava.  Zertucha  galloped  into  the 
brush  a  short  distance  and  returned,  calling  to  them  to  follow  him. 
Maceo  at  once  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and,  followed  by  his  aides,  rode 
swiftly  after  the  physician,  who  plunged  into  the  thick  growth  on  the 
side  of  the  road.  They  had  ridden  only  a  short  distance,  when  Zer- 
tucha suddenly  bent  low  in  his  saddle  and  swerved  sharply  to  one 
side,  galloping  away  like  mad.  Almost  at  the  same  moment  a  volley 
was  fired  by  a  party  of  Spanish  soldiers  hidden  in  the  dense  under- 
brush, and  Maceo  and  four  of  his  aides  dropped  out  of  their  saddles 
mortally  wounded. 

The  single  survivor,  the  one  who  tells  this  story,  managed  to  make 
his  way  back  to  his  own  men,  and  brought  them  up  to  the  scene  of  the 
tragedy,  but  the  bodies  had  been  removed,  and  when  they  were  finally 
discovered,  they  had  been  mutilated  in  a  most  shocking  manner.  It 
was  then  learned  that  one  of  the  victims  was  Francisco  Gomez,  a  son 
of  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Cuban  army,  who  was  one  of 
Maceo's  aides.  It  seems  that  his  wound  was  not  necessarily  a  fatal 
one,  but  he  refused  to  leave  his  dying  commander,  and  rather  than  to 

254 


MACEO  DEAD  BY  TEEACHERY.  255 

fall  alive  in  the  hands  of  his  foes,  he  committed  suicide.    This  letter 
was  found  in  his  hand: 

Dear  Mamma,  Papa,  Dear  Brothers:  I  die  at  my  post.  I  did  not  want  to 
abandon  the  body  of  General  Maceo,  and  I  stayed  with  him.  I  was  wounded 
in  two  places,  and  as  I  did  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  I  have  killed 
myself.  I  am  dying.  I  die  pleased  at  being  in  the  defense  of  the  Cuban 
cause.  I  wait  for  you  in  the  other  world.  Your  son, 

FRANCISCO  GOMEZ. 
Torro  in  San  Domingo. 

(Friends  or  foes,  please  transmit  to  its  destination,  as  requested  by  one 
dead.) 

Dr.  Zertucha  surrendered  to  a  Spanish  officer  shortly  after  Maceo 
was  killed.  He  said  that  the  dead  leader  was  discouraged  by  the  con- 
tinual failures  of  the  insurgents  to  make  any  headway  against  their 
foes;  that,  on  account  of  his  color,  the  subordinate  officers  in  the 
Cuban  ranks  did  not  show  proper  respect  for  him,  or  obedience  to  his 
commands,  and  that  he  had  purposely  placed  himself  in  range  of  the 
enemy's  rifles,  deliberately  seeking  death. 

These  statements  are  manifestly  false,  and  go  far  to  confirm  the 
belief  that  the  coward  who  made  them  had  a  guilty  knowledge  con- 
cerning the  manner  of  the  death  of  the  brave  soldier  he  maligned, 

An  Estimate  of  Maceo's  Character. 

A  gentleman  who  made  Maceo's  acquaintance  in  Havana,  prior  to 
the  present  insurrection,  gives  this  estimate  of  his  character: 

"Maceo  wras  a  natural  politician  in  that  he  had  the  genius  of  divin- 
ing popular  opinion,  and  taking  the  leadership  of  popular  movements. 
He  was  in  Havana  at  that  time  sounding  men  and  scheming  for  the 
present  revolution.  He  was  always  of  the  sunniest  disposition,  closely 
attaching  all  people  to  him,  and  a  man  of  the  strictest  moral  integrity. 
He  never  drank  wine,  he  never  smoked,  and  that  in  a  land  where  to- 
bacco is  as  common  as  potatoes  in  Ireland,  and  he  never  played  cards. 
He  had  a  great  abhorrence  of  men  who  drank  to  excess,  and  would 
not  tolerate  them  about  him. 

"He  ahvays  dressed,  when  in  Havana,  in  the  most  finished  style. 
His  massive  frame — he  was  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height  and 
unusually  broad  shouldered — was  displayed  to  advantage  always  in 


256  MAGEO  DEAD  BY  TREACHERY. 

frock  coat,  closely  buttoned,  and  he  usually  wore  a  silk  hat.    He  was 
neat,  even  to  fastidiousness,  in  his  dress.    He  usually  carried  a  cane. 

"When  Maceo  took  the  field,  however,  he  roughed  it  with  his  men, 
and  dressed  accordingly.  When  in  battle  he  carried  a  long-barreled 
38-caliber  revolver  with  a  mother-of-pearl  handle,  and  a  Toledo  blade 
made  in  the  form  of  a  machete.  The  handle  of  this  machete  was 
finely  wrought  silver  and  turquoise  shell,  and  had  four  notches  in  it, 
into  which  the  fingers  could  easily  fit.  Maceo  always  had  three  horses 
with  him  on  his  marches,  the  favorite  being  a  big  white  one." 

Probably  no  event  in  the  war  up  to  that  time  caused  such  general 
satisfaction  among  the  supporters  of  the  existing  government,  both 
in  Cuba  and  in  Spain,  as  the  death  of  Maceo.  WThen  Jose  Marti  was 
killed,  they  were  certain  that  the  loss  of  that  leader  would  compel 
the  insurrectionists  to  abandon  hopes  of  success.  On  the  contrary, 
it  inspired  them  with  greater  determination  than  before.  But  the 
Spanish  sympathizers  learned  nothing  from  that  experience,  and  when 
it  was  definitely  known  that  Maceo  was  no  longer  to  be  feared,  they 
were  unanimous  in  the  belief  that  the  end  of  the  struggle  was  at  hand. 
Subsequent  events  have  shown  how  little  they  knew  of  the  kind  of 
men  with  whom  they  were  at  war. 

"The  blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  church,"  and  every 
Cuban  patriot  who  has  fallen  in  this  conquest  of  extermination  has 
but  added  fuel  to  the  fires  of  liberty,  which  are  sweeping  Spanish 
rule  from  the  island,  leaving  the  tyrants  nothing  but  the  ashes  of 
hopes. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
WEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY  AND  ITS  HORRORS. 

The  Object  of  the  Plan — Slaves  of  Spain — The  Massacre  of  the  Innocents — 
Deserted  Fields  and  Farms — A  Fearful  Mortality — The  Cubans  the 
Oldest  Americans  of  Caucasian  Blood — Women  and  Children  Doomed 
to  Die — An  Appeal  for  Help — Our  Manifest  Duty. 

When  General  Weyler  promulgated  his  policy  of  reeoncentration 
he  hypocritically  claimed  that  it  was  intended  to  protect  the  noncom- 
batant  peasantry  of  the  island,  but  his  sole  object  was  to  compel  them 
to  put  themselves  wholly  in  the  power  of  the  Spanish  officials.  No 
one  knew  better  than  the  "Butcher"  that  the  Cuban  peasant,  no  mat- 
ter what  he  might  publicly  profess,  was  bound  with  all  his  heart  to 
the  cause  of  free  Cuba,  and  that  he  never  lost  an  opportunity  to  aid 
the  insurgents  by  every  means  in  his  power.  And  when  he  formulated 
the  plan  compelling  them  to  abandon  their  homes  in  the  rural  districts, 
and  to  herd  like  sheep  in  the  cities  and  towns  which  were  still  under 
his  rule,  it  was  to  prevent  them  from  giving  aid  and  information  to -the 
rebels.  He  must  have  known  that  the  enforcement  of  this  edict  meant 
certain  starvation  to  thousands  of  the  inoffensive  inhabitants,  but  no 
thought  of  the  misery  and  injustice  which  he  thus  wrought  upon  them 
deterred  him  in  his  determination  to  crush  the  unhappy  people,  and 
keep  them  still  the  slaves  of  Spain. 

The  order  found  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  working  classes 
absolutely  destitute  of  money,  and  the  men,  knowing  there  was  no 
work  for  them  in  the  towns,  hesitated  about  going  with  their  families, 
while  they  did  not  dare  to  remain  in  their  poor  homes,  where,  at  least, 
they  could  be  sure  of  food.  The  consequence  was  that  thousands  of 
homes  were  deserted.  The  women  and  children  were  sent  to  the  towns 
to  look  out  for  themselves  as  best  they  could,  while  the  men  joined  the 
insurgent  army.  In  a  number  of  cases  wives  refused  to  be  separated 
from  their  husbands,  and  followed  them  into  the  ranks  of  the  revolu- 
tionists, where  they  fought  like  the  Amazons  of  old.  Some  of  them 
found  a  melancholy  pleasure  in  nursing  the  sick  and  wounded,  others 

fought  side  by  side  w\th  the  men,  and  the  fear  of  death  was  not  half 

257 


258  iWEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY. 

as  strong  as  the  thoughts  of  the  horrors  which  awaited  them  at  their 
homes,  or  among  the  reconcentrados  in  the  towns.  Marriages  have 
been  solemnized,  and  children  have  been  born  upon  the  fields  of  battle. 
Spain  is  nursing  a  forlorn  hope  when  she  counts  on  subduing  patriots 
like  these. 

Women  and  Children  Doomed  to  Die. 

Hon.  C.  W.  Russell,  an  attache  of  the  Department  of  Justice  of  the 
United  States,  went  to  Cuba  shortly  after  the  order  for  reconcentra- 
tion  went  into  effect.  It  was  his  purpose  to  learn  by  personal  observa- 
tion how  much  or  how  little  truth  there  was  in  the  reports  that  had 
eome  to  this  country  regarding  the  terrible  suffering  among  the  recon- 
centrados. He  states  the  result  of  his  investigations  as  follows: 

"I  spent  just  two  weeks  in  Cuba,  visited  Havana,  went  south  to 
Jaruco,  southwest  to  Guines,  northeast  to  Matanzas,  eastwardly  about 
two  hundred  miles  through  the  middle  of  the  country  to  San  Domingo, 
Santa  Clara  and  Sagua  la  Grande.  I  visited  Marianao,  a  short  dis- 
tance west  of  Havana,  and  saw  along  the  railroad  thirty  or  forty  towns 
or  stations.  In  Havana  I  visited  the  Fossos,  the  hospital  prison  at  Alde- 
coa,  where  I  talked  writh  the  father  of  Evangelina  Cisneros,  and  a  place 
called  the  Jacoba.  I  found  reconcentrados  at  all  three  places,  and  beg- 
ging everywhere  about  the  streets  of  Havana. 

"The  spectacle  at  the  Fossos  and  Jacoba  houses,  of  women  and  chil- 
dren emaciated  to  skeletons  and  suffering  from  diseases  produced  by 
starvation,  was  sickening.  In  Sagua  I  saw  some  sick  and  emaciated 
little  girls  in  a  children's  hospital,  started  three  days  before  by  charit- 
able Cubans,  and  saw  a  crowd  of  miserable  looking  reconcentrados 
with  tin  buckets  and  other  receptacles  getting  small  allowances 
of  food  doled  out  to  them  in  a  yard.  In  the  same  city,  in  an  old  sugar 
warehouse,  I  saw  stationed  around  the  inside  walls  the  remnants  of 
twenty  or  thirty  Cuban  families. 

"In  one  case  the  remnant  consisted  of  two  children,  seven  or  eight 
years  old.  In  another  case,  where  I  talked  to  the  people  in  broken 
Spanish,  there  were  four  individuals,  a  mother,  a  girl  of  fourteen,  and 
two  quite  small  girls.  The  smallest  was  then  suffering  from  malarial 
fever.  The  next  had  the  signs  on  her  hands,  with  which  I  had  become 
familiar,  of  having  had  that  dreadful  disease,  the  beri-beri.  These  four 
were  all  that  order  of  concentration  had  left  alive  of  eleven.  At  San 
Domingo,  where  two  railroads  join,  the  depot  was  crowded  with 


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WEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY.  261 

women  and  children,  one  of  the  latter,  as  I  remember,  being  swollen 
up  with  the  beri-beri,  begging  in  the  most  earnest  way  of  the  few 
passengers. 

"San  Domingo  is  little  more  than  a  railroad  station  in  times  of 
peace,  but  at  present  it  has  a  considerable  population,  living  in  cabins 
thatched  with  the  tops  of  royal  palm  trees,  composed  of  the  survivors 
of  the  reconcentrados.  The  huts  are  arranged  close  together  in  a  little 
clump,  and  the  concentration  order  required  and  apparently  still  re- 
quires these  people  to  live  within  a  circle  of  small  block  houses,  com- 
monly dignified  in  the  dispatches  by  the  name  of  forts.  They  had  no 
work  to  do,  no  soil  to  till,  no  seed  to  plant,  and  only  begging  to  live  on. 
I  do  not  know  the  exact  measure  of  the  dead-line  circle  drawn  around 
them,  but  there  was  certainly  nothing  within  it  upon  which  a  human 
being  could  subsist.  Practically  they  were  prisoners.  At  every  one 
of  the  numerous  stopping  places  along  the  road  a  similar  collection  of 
huts  could  be  seen,  and  at  most  of  them  beggars,  often  nice  looking 
women  and  beautiful  children,  invaded  the  cars.  Between  the  sta- 
tions, although  I  traveled  always  by  daylight,  as  the  trains  do  not  run 
at  night,  and  I  was  observing  as  carefully  as  possible,  I  saw  no  signs  of 
the  reconcentrados  going  away  from  the  forts.  If  they  had  gone,  .t 
takes  seed,  instruments,  land,  and  three  or  four  months  to  raise  the 
vegetable  which  could  be  soonest  produced,  and  nowhere  away  from 
the  block  houses  was  there  any  sign  of  vegetables  growing.  Near  the 
larger  towns  the  circle  of  concentration  seemed  to  be  somewhat  larger, 
and  some  planting  of  vegetables,  tobacco,  etc.,  seemed  to  be  going  on. 
At  this  a  very  few  persons,  possibly  some  of  the  reconcentrados,  found 
employment. 

Deserted  Fields  and  Farms, 

"All  along  the  railroad,  as  far  as  could  be  seen,  were  stretches  of 
the  most  fertile  and  beautiful  country,  with  very  few  trees,  even  on 
the  low  mountains,  and  most  of  these  royal  palms.  I  saw  many  dozens 
of  burned  canefields,  and  one  evening,  going  from  Guines  to  Havana, 
saw  the  sky  all  lighted  up  along  the  road  with  fires,  principally  of  the 
tall  grass  of  the  country,  but  partly  of  cane.  The  whole  land  was  lying 
perfectly  idle,  except  that  I  saw  two  or  three  or  four  sugar  mills  where 
cane  was  growing,  but  in  all  such  instances  the  mill  and  ca,ne  were 
surrounded  by  forts,  manned  by  soldiers,  who  are  paid,  I  was  told,  by 
the  owners.  Except  in  the  cities,  I  saw  no  indication  that  any  relief 

14 


262  WEYLER'S  EECONCENTRATION  POLICY. 

whatever  was  being  afforded  to  the  starving  people.  Neither  in 
Havana  nor  elsewhere  did  any  priest,  religious  woman  or  other  person 
seem  to  be  paying  any  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  starving,  except 
that  at  the  Fossos,  and  some  other  places,  charitable  Cubans  were  nurs- 
ing the  sick.  The  Church,  being  a  state  institution,  was,  so  far  as  I 
could  see,  leaving  the  victims  without  either  bodily  or  spiritual  relief. 
In  fact,  the  general  air  of  indifference  to  suffering  which  seemed  to 
prevail  everywhere  was  astonishing. 

A  Fearful  Mortality. 

"As  the  country  was  stripped  of  its  population  by  the  order  of  con- 
centration, it  is  easy  to  believe  that  400,000  persons  were  gathered 
behind  the  forts  without  being  given  food,  medicine,  or  means  of  any 
kind  to  earn  a  living,  except  where  in  the  larger  cities  some  few  could 
find  employment  in  menial  offices.  Judging  by  the  orphans  I  was 
shown  at  Jacoba,  Aidecoa  and  elsewhere,  and  from  all  I  saw  and  heard, 
I  believe  that  half  of  the  400,000  have  died  as  the  result  of  starvation. 
I  know  from  the  official  register  of  the  city  of  Santa  Clara,  which  ordi- 
narily has  a  population  of  about  14,000,  that  the  deaths  for  November 
were  over  1,000,  and  the  number  of  deaths  for  December  was  over  900, 
and  showed  an  increase,  considering  the  loss  of  the  former  1,000,  from 
its  total  population.  The  exact  figures  for  December  are  971.  At  that 
city  the  government  was  distributing  500  single  rations  per  day  out  of 
a  total  appropriation  for  the  purpose  of  |15,000.  This  was  not  relief, 
but  a  mere  prolongation  of  the  sufferings  of  a  small  part  of  the  recon- 
centrados  of  the  city. 

"So  far  as  any  evidence  of  relief  was  visible  to  my  eyes  or  was  even 
heard  of  by  me  in  all  my  talks  on  the  island,  the  surviving  200,000  peo- 
ple are  in  the  same  condition  and  have  the  same  prospect  of  starvation 
before  them  as  had  their  kindred  who  have  died.  There  is  as  much 
need  of  medicine  now  as  food,  and  they  are  getting  neither.  The  reason 
given  by  the  Spanish  sympathizers  in  Cuba  is  that  the  troops  must  be 
first  fed,  and  it  is  certain  that  many  of  the  soldiers  are  sick  and  suffer- 
ing for  want  of  proper  food.  I  saw  many  myself  that  looked  so.  I  was 
informed  on  all  sides  that  they  had  not  been  paid  for  eight  months, 
and  that  most  of  the  civil  officials  had  not  been  paid  for  a  similar 
period.  It  is,  therefore,  most  probable  that  Spain  is  practically  unable 
to  supply  the  millions  which  are  immediately  necessary  to  prevent  the 


WEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY.  363 

death  of  most  of  the  surviving  reconcentrados,  but  this  leads  to  polit- 
ical questions,  which  I  desire  to  avoid. 

Our  Manifest  Duty. 

"I  wish  merely  to  state  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  convincing  that  in 
consequence  of  the  concentration  of  the  people,  some  200,000  Cubans 
are  daily  suffering  and  dying  from  diseases  produced  by  a  lack  of 
nourishment,  in  the  midst  of  what  I  think  must  be  the  most  fertile 
country  in  the  world,  and  that  something  must  be  done  for  them  on  a 
large  scale,  and  at  once,  or  a  few  months  will  see  their  extermination. 
So  far  as  I  could  see,  they  are  a  patient,  amiable,  intelligent  set  of  peo- 
ple, some  of  them  whom  I  saw  begging  having  faces  like  Madonnas. 
They  are  Americans,  probably  the  oldest  Americans  of  European 
descent.  Constant  intercourse  with  the  United  States  has  made  them 
sympathize  with  and  appreciate  us,  who  are  but  six  hours  by  boat  from 
them,  if  we  do  not  sympathize  with  or  care  for  them.  No  order  or  per- 
mission from  General  Blanco  can  save  the  lives  of  many  of  them. 
Indeed,  many  are  too  far  gone  to  be  saved  by  the  best  care  and  treat- 
ment. 

"There  was  no  indication  of  a  cessation  of  hostilities  by  the  insur- 
gents. If  they  do  not  voluntarily  cease,  their  tactics  are  such  that 
Spain  cannot  conquer  them,  if  at  all,  before  the  reconcentrados  will 
have  had  the. finishing  stroke.  But  even  the  speedy  termination  of  the 
war  would  not  save  many  of  them.  What  they  need  is  instant  pecu- 
niary assistance  to  the  extent  of  $20,000  a  day,  distributed  by  our  con- 
suls. Private  charity,  it  seems,  will  hardly  produce  the  amount. 
Twenty  thousand  dollars  would  be  but  ten  cents  apiece  for  medicine, 
clothes  and  food.  When  I  left  Havana  I  was  informed  that  Consul 
General  Lee  had  received  $5,000  and  some  hundreds  of  cans  of  con- 
densed milk.  As  there  are  about  30,000  sufferers  in  Havana  alone,  the 
inadequacy  of  such  contributions  is  manifest.  Whether  Congress 
should  make  an  appropriation,  as  in  the  case  of  the  San  Domingo 
refugees  and  other  cases,  it  is  not  for  me  to  say,  but  I  beg  the  charit- 
able to  believe  the  statement  of  facts  which  I  have  made,  and  try  to 
realize  what  they  mean." 

A  correspondent  in  Cuba  gives  an  interesting  account  of  a  case  that 
came  under  his  notice  among  the  reconcentrados  in  the  town  of  Guad- 
aloupe.  It  is  substantially  as  follows: 


264  WEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY. 

In  all  misery-ridden  Cuba  there  is  no  town  in  which  the  reign  of 
misery  is  so  absolute  as  in  Guadaloupe.  Even  the  situation  of  this 
place  might  be  said  to  be  in  "the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death."  It  is 
not  upon  the  earth's  surface,  but  far  below,  in  a  broad,  deep  hole.  The 
all-surrounding  hills  are  not  green,  but  black.  For  these  up-sloping 
fields,  upon  which  many  a  rich  tobacco  crop  has  been  raised,  lie  now 
under  blackening  ashes — the  work  of  insurgent  torches.  In  this  low- 
lying  town  3,000  reconcentrados  are  naked,  shelterless  and  starving. 
That  aid  has  not  come  to  them  till  now  is  because  of  the  ingratitude 
and  treachery  of  two  of  their  own  number. 

As  the  two  guilty  ones  have  just  paid  the  penalty  of  their  crime,  the 
Red  Cross  Society  will  probably  have  a  relief  corps  in  Guadaloupe  by 
the  time  this  letter  is  printed. 

The  tragedy  of  Guadaloupe,  to  the  denouement  of  which  I  was  an 
eyewitness,  shows  that  the  insurgents  have  learned  the  art  of  butch- 
ery as  taught  by  the  Spanish,  and  that  a  reconcentrado  will  sometimes 
betray  the  Samaritan  who  helps  him.  A  faithful  mule  carried  me  into 
Guadaloupe  at  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  siesta  hour.  I  had  come 
from  the  coast  many  miles  away,  over  the  hills.  As  I  rode  into  the 
town,  I  said  to  the  mule:  "The  next  artist  who  is  given  an  order  to 
illustrate  Dante's  'Inferno'  ought  to  come  here.  He  could  draw  from 
life,  pictures  more  infernal  than  a  mere  human  mind  could  conceive." 

Reconcentrados  lay  everywhere  under  the  broiling  sun.  The  mule 
picked  his  way  between  human  heaps  that  looked  like  so  many  little 
mounds  of  rags.  Skeleton  legs  and  arms  protruded  from  out  the 
heaps.  Soft  moans  of  mothers  and  the  wailing  of  little  children  gave 
evidence  of  so  many  living  deaths. 

One  Kind-hearted  Spaniard. 

I  presented  my  credentials  to  the  commandante.  He  was  the  most 
genial  Spanish  official  I  had  met  between  Havana  and  Guadaloupe. 
When  he  smiled,  his  face  was  all  kindness.  When  he  spoke  of  the 
reconcentrados,  tears  welled  from  his  eyes.  Yet  around  his  mouth  and 
chin  were  the  cruel  lines  of  a  nature  as  stern  as  it  was  commiserative. 
He  told  me  that  the  hospital  was  full,  always  full;  there  was  room  in 
its  wards  for  only  200  patients,  and  only  one  doctor  for  all.  All  who 
entered  that  place  of  sickness  came  out  of  it,  not  cured,  but  dead.  Three 
thousand  human  beings,  mostly  women  and  children,  had  passed  away 


WEYLER'S  RECONCENTRATION  POLICY.  265 


in  that  town  in  three  months.    Nearly  all  had  died  of  starvation 
exposure.    When  the  cemetery  was  full,  they  began  burying  in  the  still 
burning  tobacco  fields  on  the  hillsides. 

But  it  was  the  siesta  hour.  The  commandante  excused  himself, 
saying  he  would  rest  awhile  and  advised  me  to  do  the  same. 

The  commandante's  house  was  in  the  center  of  the  town.  Bound 
about  was  a  circle  of  the  houses  of  those  who  had  owned  the  tobacco 
fields.  Beyond  these  homes  of  the  well-to-do  were  hundreds  of  huts. 
In  these  lived  the  reconcentrados,  several  families  in  each,  or  as  many 
as  could  huddle  within  and  not  pull  the  roughly  constructed  frame  of 
palm  stalks  down  about  their  heads.  Outside  the  circle  of  huts  were 
the  blackened  fields  and  hills.  On  the  tops  of  the  hills,  at  intervals 
of  200  yards,  was  a  circle  of  small  houses  that  looked  like  sentry  boxes. 
They  were  really  little  forts,  with  four  soldiers  in  each.  Beyond  the 
forts  were,  heaven  only  knows  how  many,  insurgent  guerillas,  lynx- 
eyed  human  watch  dogs,  always  lurking  and  waiting  for  a  chance  to 
swoop  upon  one  of  the  little  forts,  slay  the  garrison  of  four  and  dash 
back  into  the  bushes. 

A  Soldier's  Ghastly  Burden, 

At  this  moment  not  a  soldier  was  in  sight.  Perhaps  all  were  sleep- 
ing, like  the  commandante.  Or  perhaps  the  soldiers  always  remained 
inside  the  barricades  surrounding  their  forts,  fearing  that  to  step  out- 
side would  be  to  attract  the  bullets  of  the  lurking  insurgents.  For 
such  is  warfare  in  Cuba's  hills  to-day;  much  the  same  sort  of  warfare 
our  American  forefathers  knew  when  each  man  who  stepped  from  his 
doorway  was  likely  to  become  a  target  for  the  arrows  of  the  lurking 
and  invisible  redskins. 

I  was  making  a  mental  note  of  this  picture  of  war  and  misery,  when 
suddenly  I  saw  a  human  form  on  the  hilltop  over  which  I  had  just 
come.  The  peculiar  shape  of  the  white  hat  worn  by  this,  apparition 
told  me  it  was  a  soldier.  In  the  middle  of  the  white  road  he  stopped, 
lowered  a  burden  from  his  shoulders  to  the  ground.  What  was  that 
soldier  doing  there  and  what  was  the  nature  of  his  apparently  heavy 
burden?  From  my  perch  on  the  balcony  I  beckoned  to  the  sentry,  who 
was  pacing  up  and  down  in  front  of  the  commandante's  house.  The 
sentry  came  up  to  the  balcony,  took  one  look  in  the  direction  of  my 
pointing  finger,  and  then  rushed  into  the  house.  The  next  moment  the 


266  WEYLEK'S  BECONCENTRATION  POLICY. 

commandante  appeared.  With  a  field  glass  lie  surveyed  the  figure  on 
the  hilltop. 

"He  is  carrying  something,"  I  said,  as  I  watched  the  man  in  the  dis- 
tance reshoulder  his  burden  and  begin  descending  the  hill. 

"A  dead  man,"  said  the  commandante.  And  he  closed  the  glasses, 
thoughtfully.  Then  he  gave  me  a  long  black  cigar. 

We  waited.  At  the  end  of  half  an  hour  the  soldier  approached  the 
house.  Yes,  on  his  back  he  was  carrying  a  corpse* 

Tell-tale  Scrap  of  Paper. 

He  laid  his  burden  down  in  the  road  and  saluted  the  commandante. 
A  group  of  officers  and  soldiers  had  gathered  round.  The  body  was 
that  of  a  noted  insurgent  captain.  A  scrap  of  paper  was  produced.  It 
had  been  found  in  the  dead  man's  pocket  by  the  soldier  who  had  car- 
ried the  body  into  town. 

The  commandante  read  the  paper.  His  brow  contracted.  Now  he 
was  all  sternness. 

"Bring  the  man,  Jose  Manual,  here,"  he  said  to  a  sergeant 

Five  minutes  later  an  old  man,  all  bones  and  skin,  stood  before  us. 
The  miserable  man  trembled  as  with  the  palsy. 

"Si,  senor,  I  did  it.  I  ran  over  the  hill.  I  informed.  I  alone  ani  to 
blame." 

Evidently  the  wretch  knew  of  what  he  was  accused.  It  was  also 
apparent  that  he  was  not  the  only  guilty  one. 

"Who  wrote  this  for  you?"  the  commandante  asked. 

"I  did,  senor;  I  wrote  it." 

"The  man  lies,"  murmured  one  of  the  officers. 

"Bring  hither  the  son  of  Jose  Manual,"  was  the  next  order. 

WTith  that,  another  skeleton,  a  young  one,  stepped  forward. 

"I  am  here,  senor,  and  I  wrote  the  note.  That  is  all.  We  two,  senor. 
I  wrote  and  my  father  ran.  He  was  stronger,  that  day,  than  even  my 
younger  bones." 

The  commandante  compressed  his  lips.  He  turned  to  the  sergeant 
and  said :  "At  sunset  have  these  two  men  shot." 

The  two  men  merely  spat  upon  the  ground.  For  them  death  evi- 
dently had  no  terrors.  As  they  were  led  away  they  made  the  sign  of 
the  cross  again  and  again  upon  their  naked  breasts.  A  hundred  starv- 
ing wretches  followed  them  in  silence. 


WEYL'fiK'fc  KECOKCENTKATlON  POLICY.  267' 

When  we  were  again  alone  on  the  balcony — a,  broad,  square  bal- 
cony it  was — the  commandante  noticed  my  look  of  inquiry. 

"The  story  can  be  briefly  told,"  he  said.  "You  are  simply  the  wit- 
ness of  a  tragedy  that  had  its  beginning  on  this  very  balcony  one 
month  ago.  I  sent  word  by  the  priest  to  a  lady  in  Havana — an  English 
lady — that  we  had  4,000  starving  people  in  this  town.  Could  she  help 
us?  Always  generous,  beneficent,  self-sacrificing,  the  lady  responded 
in  person.  She  came  by  the  coast  steamer,  landed  at  broad  noon,  trav- 
ersed the  two  miles  over  which  you  came  a  few  hours  ago  from  the 
coast,  bringing  with  her  seven  ox-cart  loads  of  provisions,  clothing 
and  medicine.  With  her  came  her  daughter,  a  young  girl  just  over 
from  England.  Their  charity  was  distributed  from  this  very  balcony 
to  the  starving  people.  The  distribution  occupied  two  entire  days. 
Out  of  4,000  people,  2,000  were  given  food  and  clothing  and  medicine. 
She  promised  the  other  half  equal  relief  as  soon  as  she  could  go  to 
Havana  and  return  again  with  the  stores.  On  the  night  before  she 
was  to  leave  us  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  leading  families  here, 
together  with  the  officers  of  my  staff,  proposed  to  give  the  good  Samari- 
tans a  banquet.  The  proposal  was  accepted.  All  gathered  for  the 
banquet  on  this  balcony.  I  draped  the  front  of  the  house  in  the  Span- 
ish colors,  and  hung  out  all  the  available  lamps.  That  illumination 
was  our  ruin.  Thirty-four  sat  down  to  dine.  Only  thirty  lived  through 
the  first  course.  Of  a  sudden  a  hailstorm  of  bullets  was  poured  into 
our  midst.  A  bottle  of  wine  in  front  of  me  flew  into  bits.  Not  a  whole 
plate  or  a  whole  glass  was  left.  We  sprang  up  and  fled  into  the  house. 
Not  all  of  us,  though.  No.  Three  men — three  of  my  best  officers — had 
fallen  from  their  chairs,  dead.  The  other — oh,  God!" 

English  Samaritan  Murdered. 

The  commandante  could  not  continue.  He  made  a  gesture  indicat- 
ing that  I  was  to  step  into  the  house. 

In  his  room  he  opened  a  huge  wardrobe  and  took  out  a  jacket,  a 
tiny  coat,  such  as  might  be  worn  by  a  soldier  boy.  The  sleeves  were 
loaded  with  the  gold  lace  and  golden  stars  of  a  colonel  in  the  Spanish 
army.  On  the  left  side  of  this  jacket  or  coat  was  a  ragged  hole. 

"The  bullet  entered  here,"  the  commandante  said,  sorrowfully.  "It 
pierced  her  heart.  The  poor  mother  carried  her  dead  back  to  Havana. 
That  is  all." 


268  WEYLEK'S  RECONCENTJRATION  POLICY. 

I  understood.  A  fatal  volley  had  been  poured  into  that  dinner 
party  by  insurgents  on  the  hilltops.  The  house  was  in  the  center  of  the 
town,  and  the  lamps  illuminating  the  Spanish  colors  had  rendered  the 
balcony  the  best  of  targets.  These  Spanish  officers  and  an  innocent 
young  English  girl,  a  Samaritan,  were  murdered. 

And  by  whom?  By  the  insurgents,  who  were  guided  to  the  hilltops 
by  two  of  the  very  reconcentrados  whom  the  victims  had  saved  that 
day  from  starvation.  One  had  written  a  note  informing  the  insurgents 
of  the  circumstance,  time,  and  pi-ace  of  the  banquet.  The  other  had 
delivered  the  note  to  one  of  the  murderers.  Father  and  son  were 
equally  guilty  of  ingratitude  and  treachery.  The  incriminating  note 
had  been  found  on  the  dead  Jbody  of  the  insurgent  captain,  carried  into 
town  by  the  soldier  of  Spain. 

The  Sad  Final  Scene. 

At  sunset  a  squad  of  twenty  men,  armed  and  in  charge  of  a  first 
lieutenant,  filed  out  of  the  barracks.  In  front  of  the  squad  marched 
the  two  prisoners,  their  arms  tied  together  above  the  elbows,  behind 
their  backs.  Behind  the  soldiers  came  perhaps  a  thousand  of  the 
wretched  and  starving. 

No  murmuring,  no  uplifting  of  arms,  nothing  but  solemn  silence. 
In  front  of  a  wall,  lining  one  of  the  blackened  fields,  the  prisoners 
were  made  to  kneel  down.  A  priest  stood  over  them  speaking  the  last 
consoling  words.  4 

Out  of  the  squad  of  twenty  soldiers,  eight  stepped  forth  and  leveled 
their  rifles  at  the  kneeling  father  and  son. 

The  eight  shots  sounded  as  one,  and  one  of  the  blackest  crimes  of 
this  atrocious  war  was  expiated. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 
AMERICAN  INDIGNATION  GROWING. 

The  American  People  Favor  Cuba— Influence  of  the  Press — Hatred  of 
Weyler — General  Lee's  Reports  of  the  Horrors  of  the  War — The 
Question  of  Annexation — Spanish  Soldiers  Oppose  American  Aid  for 
the  Suffering — Consular  Reports  From  the  Island. 

The  people  of  the  United  States,  from  the  commencement  of  the  war; 
have  been  deeply  interested  in  the  success  of  the  Cuban  cause.  The 
leading  journals,  with  hardly  an  exception,  have  upheld  the  revolution- 
ists, and  have  been  largely  instrumental  in  arousing  our  government  to 
action.  The  following  editorial  is  one  of  many  on  the  subject  which 
voiced  the  popular  feeling,  and  gave  hope  to  the  struggling  band  of 
patriots,  both  in  the  United  States  and  Cuba: 

"Cuba  bleeds  at  every  pore,  and  Liberty  goes  weeping  through  a 
land  desolated  by  cruel  war  and  throttled  by  the  iron  hand  of  a  foreign 
despotism.  We  hold  that  this  government  would  be  justified  not  only 
in  recognizing  Cuban  belligerency,  but  also  in  recognizing  Cuban  inde- 
pendence, on  the  sole  ground  of  the  rights  and  claims  of  outraged  hu- 
manity. ...  In  consequence  of  Weyler's  barbarous  decrees  the 
most  harrowing  scenes  of  savagery  and  brutality  are  of  almost  daily  oc- 
currence in  this  beautiful  island,  which  is  situated  a  hundred  miles  from 
our  Florida  coast  line.  In  the  midst  of  these  horrifying  and  terrorizing 
spectacles  Cuba  extends  her  hand  in  supplication  to  this  land  of  boasted 
freedom,  asking  only  for  a  kindly  glance  of  friendly  recognition. 

"Shall  we  refuse  this  small  crumb  of  comfort  from  our  bounteous 
board?  Spain  may  have  the  right  to  expect  American  neutrality,  but 
she  has  no  right  to  demand  indifference  on  our  part  to  the  fate  of  a  brave 
people,  whose  territory  almost  touches  our  own,  and  is  nearer  to  our  na- 
tional capital  than  are  a  number  of  the  States  of  the  Union,  and  whose 
heroic  struggle  for  liberty  was  largely  inspired  by  our  glorious  example 
of  beneficent  free  institutions  and  successful  self-government. 

"Spanish  rule  in  Cuba  has  been  characterized  by  injustice,  oppres- 
sion, extortion,  and  demoralization.  She  has  fettered  the  energies  of 
the  people,  while  she  has  fattened  upon  their  industry.  She  smiled  but 

269 


270  AMERICAN   INDIGNATION   GROWING. 

to  smite,  and  embraced  but  to  crush.  She  has  disheartened  exertion, 
disqualified  merit,  and  destroyed  patience  and  forbearance,  by  support- 
ing in  riotous  luxury  a  horde  of  foreign  officials  at  the  expense  of  native 
industry  and  frugality. 

"Irritated  into  resistance,  the  Cubans  are  now  the  intended  victims 
of  increased  injustice.  But  the  inhuman  design  will  fail  of  accomplish- 
ment. Cuban  patriotism  develops  with  the  growth  of  oppression.  The 
aspiration  for  freedom  increases  in  proportion  to  the  weight  of  its  multi- 
plied chains.  The  dawn  of  Cuban  liberty  is  rapidly  approaching." 

Consular  Reports  of  Suffering  in  the  Island. 

General  Lee's  reports  cover  the  period  from  November  17,  1897,  to 
April  1,  1898.  Much  of  the  correspondence  is  marked  confidential. 
Only  excerpts  are  given  in  many  instances.  General  Lee's  first  dispatch 
related  to  the  modifying  of  General  Weyler's  concentration  order  by 
General  Blanco.  In  his  communication  he  says: 

"First.  The  insurgents  will  not  accept  autonomy. 

"Second.  A  large  majority  of  the  Spanish  subjects  who  have  com- 
mercial and  business  interests  and  own  property  here  will  not  accept 
autonomy,  but  prefer  annexation  to  the  United  States  rather  than  an 
independent  republic  or  genuine  autonomy  under  the  Spanish  flag." 

The  remainder  of  the  letter  is  devoted  to  plans  for  the  relief  of  the 
reconcentrados. 

"In  this  city,"  he  writes,  "matters  are  assuming  better  shape  under 
charitable  committees.  Large  numbers  are  now  cared  for  and  fed  by 
private  subscriptions.  I  witnessed  many  terrible  scenes  and  saw  some 
die  while  I  was  present.  I  am  told  General  Blanco  will  give  $100,000 
to  the  relief  fund." 

Annexation  Desired. 

General  Lee  writes  on  December  13: 

"The  contest  for  and  against  autonomy  is  most  unequal.  For  it 
there  are  five  or  six  of  the  head  officers  at  the  Palace  and  twenty  or 
thirty  other  persons  here  in  the  city.  Against  it,  first,  are  the  insur- 
gents, with  or  without  arms,  and  the  Cuban  noncombatants;  second, 
the  great  mass  of  the  Spaniards  bearing  or  not  bearing  arms — the  latter 
desiring,  if  there  must  be  a  change,  annexation  to  the  United  States. 
Indeed,  there  is  the  greatest  apathy  concerning  autonomy  in  any  form. 
No  one  asks  what  it  will  be,  or  when  or  how  it  will  come. 


AMERICAN   INDIGNATION   GROWING.  271 

"I  do  not  see  how  it  could  even  be  put  into  operation  by  force,  be- 
cause as  long  as  the  insurgents  decline  to  accept  it,  so  long,  the  Spanish 
authorities  say,  the  war  must  continue." 

General  Lee  then  describes  the  efforts  to  form  an  autonomistic  cabi- 
net in  Cuba  and  the  public  disapprobation  of  the  people. 

On  January  8  General  Lee  makes  the  following  report: 

"Sir — I  have  the  honor  to  state,  as  a  matter  of  public  interest,  that 
the  reconcentrado  order  of  General  Weyler,  formerly  governor-general 
of  this  island,  transformed  about  four  hundred  thousand  self-support- 
ing people,  principally  women  and  children,  into  a  multitude  to  be  sus- 
tained by  the  contributions  of  others,  or  die  of  starvation  or  of  fevers 
resulting  from  a  low  physical  condition  and  being  massed  in  large 
bodies,  without  change  of  clothing  and  without  food. 

"Their  homes  were  burned,  their  fields  and  plant  beds  destroyed,  and 
their  live  stock  driven  away  or  killed. 

"I  estimate  that  probably  two  hundred  thousand  of  the  rural  popu- 
lation in  the  provinces  of  Pinar  del  Rio,  Havana,  Matanzas,  and  Santa 
Clara  have  died  of  starvation  or  from  resultant  causes,  and  the  deaths 
of  whole  families  .almost  simultaneously,  or  within  a  few  days  of  each 
other,  and  of  mothers  praying  for  their  children  to  be  relieved  of  their 
horrible  sufferings  by  death  are  not  the  least  of  the  many  pitiable  scenes 
which  were  ever  present.  In  the  provinces  of  Puerto  Principe  and  San- 
tiago de  Cuba,  where  the  'reconcentrado  order'  could  not  be  enforced, 
the  great  mass  of  the  people  are  self-sustaining.  .  .  . 

"A  daily  average  of  ten  cents'  worth  of  food  to  two  hundred  thou- 
sand people  would  be  an  expenditure  of  f  20,000  per  day,  arid,  of  course, 
the  most  humane  efforts  upon  the  part  of  our  citizens  cannot  hope  to 
accomplish  such  a  gigantic  relief,  and  a  great  portion  of  these  people 
will  have  to  be  abandoned  to  their  fate."  .  .  . 

On  January  12,  13,  14  and  15  General  Lee  sent  brief  cablegrams  to 
the  department  in  regard  to  those  rioting  and  the  demonstrations 
against  autonomy  and  Blanco  and  the  three  ne\vspaper  offices. 

January  13  he  said  some  of  the  rioters  threatened  to  go  to  the  United 
States  consulate.  "Ships,"  he  said,  "are  not  needed,  but  may  be  later. 
If  Americans  are  in  danger  ships  should  move  promptly  for  Havana. 
Uncertainty  and  excitement  widespread."  The  rioting  ceased  the  next 
day  and  General  Lee  reported  all  quiet. 

On  March  1  General  Lee  reports  that  the  distribution  of  food,  medi- 
cines, and  clothing  to  the  destitute  is  proceeding  satisfactorily.  The 


AMERICAN   INDIGNATION   GROWING. 

work,  he  says,  has  been  well  organized  and  systematized  under  the  su- 
pervision and  direction  of  Miss  Clara  Barton,  president  of  the  Red  Cross 
of  the  United  States,  and  her  active,  able,  and  experienced  assistant. 
He  inclosed  a  letter  on  March  14  from  Consul  Barker,  of  Sagua,  who  re- 
quests him  to  transmit  the  following  letter,  which  is  addressed  to  him 
(General  Lee): 

"Dear  Sir — I  will  thank  you  to  communicate  to  the  department  as 
quickly  as  possible  the  fact  that  military  commander  and  other  military 
officers  positively  refuse  to  allow  the  reconcentrados,  to  whom  I  am  issu- 
ing food  in  its  raw  state,  to  procure  fuel  with  which  to  cook  the  food. 

"In  addition,  they  prohibited  this  class  of  people  (I  am  only  giving 
food  to  about  one-fifth  of  the  destitute — the  authorities  have  quit  alto- 
gether) from  gathering  vegetables  cultivated  within  the  protection  of 
the  forts,  telling  them  'the  Americans  propose  to  feed  you,  and  to  the 
Americans  you  must  look.' " 

General  Lee  reports  on  March  28  that  "instructions  have  been  given 
by  the  civil  government  of  Havana  that  the  alcaldes  and  other  author- 
ities shall  not  give  out  any  facts  about  the  reconcentrados,  and  if  any 
of  the  American  relief  committees  should  make  inquiries  concerning 
them,  all  such  inquiries  must  be  referred  to  him." 

General  Lee's  dispatches  end  with  a  dispatch  under  date  of  April  1, 
transmitting  the  decree  of  the  governor-general  terminating  the  con- 
centration order. 

Consul  Barker's  Eeport. 

Consul  Barker  covers  the  conditions  existing  in  Santa  Clara  province 
in  several  communications,  beginning  on  November  20,  1897,  and  clos- 
ing on  March  24  last.  His  letters  constitute  one  long  story  of  distress, 
of  sickness,  destitution  and  death,  until,  indeed,  the  picture,  even  as 
drawn  in  the  plain  language  of  official  communications,  is  revolting. 

Mr.  Barker  devoted  comparatively  little  space  to  political  questions. 
Only  one  or  two  of  his  letters  are  along  these  lines.  Probably  the  most 
notable  of  these  is  his  communication  of  January  10  last: 

"When  Spain  will  admit  defeat,"  he  writes,  "no  mortal,  in  my  hum- 
ble judgment,  dare  predict.  That  her  plan  of  settlement — autonomy — • 
is  a  failure,  and  that  with  this  failure  passes  from  under  her  dominion 
the  island,  is  not  to  be  questioned.  Pending  this  admission  on  her  part 
thousands  of  human  beings,  guiltless  of  bringing  on  or  having  any  part 
in  the  insurrection,  are  dying. for  want  of  sustenance." 


AMERICAN   INDIGNATION  GROWING.  273 

Mr.  Barker  then  suggests  that  residents  in  Cuba  be  allowed  to  take 
out  first  papers  under  the  naturalization  laws  before  a  consul  in  Cuba, 
and  that  by  this  scheme,  he  thinks,  Spain  will  be  rebuked  and  change 
her  laws. 

He  adds  that  the  relief  from  the  United  States  must  be  continued  or 
the  people  must  starve,  so  long  as  there  is  an  armed  Spanish  soldier  in 
the  country,  "since  these  people,  for  fear  of  being  murdered,  do  not  go 
to  their  country  homes." 

On  January  15  Mr.  Barker  writes:  "In  this  consular  district  a  reign 
of  terror  and  anarchy  prevails,  which  the  authorities,  if  so  disposed,  are 
utterly  powerless  to  control  or  in  any  measure  to  subdue.  Aside  from 
the  suffering  and  desperation  caused  by  the  unparalleled  destitution,  I 
regard  the  situation  as  rapidly  assuming  a  critical  stage.  As  stated 
heretofore,  in  no  way  have  the  authorities  departed  from  the  policy  pur- 
sued by  the  late,  but  not  lamented,  General  Weyler.  Spanish  troops, 
as  well  as  the  guerrillas  under  the  cruel  chiefs  Carreraz,  Clavarrietta, 
and  Lazo,  continue  to  despoil  the  country  and  drench  it  with  the  blood 
of  noncombatants.  Although  the  <bando'  of  the  captain-general  pro- 
vides that  laborers  may  return  to  estates,  it  restricts  their  operations  to 
those  having  a  garrison.  Last  week  a  number  belonging  to  the  'Sta. 
Ana'  estate,  located  within  a  league  of  Sagua,  and  owned  by  George 
Thorndike  of  Newport,  were  driven  off  after  returning,  and  refused  a 
permit  as  a  protection  by  the  military  commander,  Mayor  Lemo,  one  of 
the  trusted  officers  under  the  Weyler  regime." 

Mr.  Barker  says  that  from  February  15  to  March  12  he  cared  for 
twelve  hundred  persons,  increasing  the  number  on  the  relief  list  after 
that  date  to  two  thousand. 

On  March  24  Mr.  Barker  increased  his  estimate  as  to  the  amount  of 
food  necessary  to  keep  life  in  the  people  of  that  province.  He  said  that 
one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  a  month  were  needful  for  that  time,  and 
that  the  distress  was  far  greater  than  his  former  reports  had  shown. 
In  the  letter  of  this  date  he  recounts  the  particulars  of  a  visit  to  Santa 
Clara,  where,  he  says,  he  learned  from  his  own  agents  and  also  from 
the  governor  of  the  province  that  the  number  of  persons  in  actual  want 
exceeded  any  estimate  which  he  had  previously  sent  to  the  government. 
He  had  said  only  three  days  before  that  he  thought  twenty  tons  a  month 
should  be  added  to  the  eighty  tons  previously  suggested.  In  a  com- 
munication of  March  20  Mr.  Barker  says:  "The  distress  is  simply  heart- 
rending. Whole  families  without  clothing  to  hide  nakedness  are  sleep- 


274  AMERICAN   INDIGNATION  GROWING. 

ing  on  the  bare  ground,  without  bedding  of  any  kind,  without  food,  save 
such  as  we  have  been  able  to  reach  with  provisions  sent  by  our  own 
noble  people;  and  the  most  distressing  feature  is  that  fully  50  per  cent 
are  ill,  without  medical  attendance  or  medicine." 

Soldiers  Oppose  Aid. 

Mr.  Barker  adds  that  if  $5,000  could  be  sent  to  Consul  General  Lee, 
blankets,  cots,  and  medicines  could  be  purchased  in  Santa  Clara,  and 
thus  save  thousands  who  must  die  if  compelled  to  await  the  sending  of 
these  supplies  from  the  United  States. 

"I  have,"  he  says,  "found  the  civil  governor  willing  to  lend  every  aid 
in  his  power,  but  he  admits  that  he  can  do  nothing  but  assist  with  his 
civil  officers  in  expediting  relief  sent  by  the  United  States.  The  mili- 
tary obstruct  in  every  way  possible." 

Consul  Hyatt's  Report. 

Writing  on  December  5,  Mr.  Hyatt  said:  "The  reconcentration  order 
is  relaxed,  but  not  removed;  but  many  people  have  reached  a  point 
where  it  is  a  matter  of  entire  indifference  to  them  whether  it  is  removed 
or  not,  for  they  have  lost  all  interest  in  the  problem  of  existence.  A 
census  of  the  island  taken  to-day,  as  compared  with  one  taken  three 
years  ago,  I  feel  confident  would  show  that  two-thirds  of  the  residents 
are  missing,  and  the  Spanish  army  would  make  no  better  showing." 

On  December  14  Mr.  Hyatt  wrote:  "The  order  of  reconcentration 
practically  has  been  wiped  out,  and,  so  far  as  the  Spanish  government 
is  concerned,  men  go  about  nearly  as  they  please.  The  insurgents  and 
their  sympathizers  will  unquestionably  take  advantage  of  the  revocation 
to  get  from  the  towns  and  cities  what  they  need  and  otherwise  strength- 
en their  cause.  The  effects  on  agricultural  pursuits  will  be  disappoint- 
ing, because  the  great  majority  of  those  who  would  or  should  take  up 
the  work  joined  the  insurgent  forces  when  compelled  to  leave  their 
homes,  and  the  portion  which  came  within  the  lines  of  reconcentration 
are  women,  children,  old  and  sickly  people,  most  of  whom  seem  to  have 
little  interest  in  the  problem  of  life.  There  is  no  one  to  take  these  peo- 
ple back  to  the  fields  and  utilize  their  remaining  strength.  Their  houses 
are  destroyed,  the  fields  are  overgrown  with  weeds,  they  have  no  seeds 
to  plant,  and,  if  they  had,  they  could  not  live  sixty  or  eighty  days  until 
the  crop  matured;  which,  when  grown,  would  more  than  likely  be  taken 
by  one  or  the  other  of  the  contending  parties." 


AMERICAN   INDIGNATION   GROWING.  275 

Dying  At  His  Door. 

"As  I  write,"  Mr.  Hyatt  closes  this  communication,  "a  man  is  dying 
in  the  street  in  front  of  my  door,  the  third  in  a  comparatively  small 
time." 

Mr.  Hyatt's  letter  of  December  21  deals  largely  with  the  sickness  and 
the  death  rate  on  the  island,  which  he  characterizes  as  appalling.  "Sta- 
tistics," he  says,  "make  a  grievous  showing,  but  come  far  short  of  the 
truth.  The  disease  is  generally  brought  on  by  insufficient  food.  It  is 
sometimes  called  paludal  fever,  and  at  others  la  grippe,  and  it  is  epi- 
demic rather  than  contagious.  From  30  to  40  per  cent  of  the  people 
were  afflicted  with  it." 

He  also  reported  smallpox  and  yellow  fever  as  prevailing,  and  said 
that  out  of  a  total  of  sixteen  thousand  soldiers  recently  sent  to  Manza- 
nillo,  nearly  five  thousand  were  in  hospitals  or  quartered  on  the  people. 
He  says  that  Dr.  Caminero,  United  States  sanitary  inspector,  reported 
at  that  time  that  there  were  more  than  twelve  thousand  people  sick  in 
bed,  not  counting  those  in  military  hospitals.  This  is  at  least  35  per 
cent  of  the  present  population.  Mr.  Hyatt  adds  that  quinine,  the  only 
remedy  of  avail,  is  sold  ten  times  higher  than  in  the  United  States.  He 
says  that  steamers  coming  into  port  give  out  soup  once  a  day  to  the 
waiting  throngs,  and  that  fresh  meat  sells  at  from  50  cents  to  $1  a  pound. 

Condemned  to  a  Living  Death. 

Every  ten  days  or  so  crowds  of  handcuffed  men  are  driven  through 
the  streets  of  Havana,  which  they  will  never  tread  again,  on  their  way 
to  the  transport  ship  which  will  convey  them  to  the  penal  settlements 
on  the  African  coast.  Many  of  these  men  represent  the  elite  of  Cuban 
society.  Seldom  is  a  direct  charge  brought  against  them.  Police  spies 
denounce  them  as  Cuban  sympathizers.  They  are  given  no  trial,  that 
they  may  prove  the  charges  false.  On  administrative  order  they  are 
sentenced  to  exile  for  life,  and  frequently  the  source  of  their  mis- 
fortune can  be  traced  to  private  revenge  or  personal  feeling.  Since  the 
beginning  of  the  war  at  least  ten  thousand  prominent  citizens  have  been 
torn  from  their  native  island,  families  and  friends,  and  sent  to  life  exile 
in  the  filthy,  overcrowded,  deadly  swamps  of  Fernando  Po.  With  a 
little  money  and  good  health  it  is  possible  to  survive  in  Ceuta,  but  none 
ever  returns  from  Fernando  Po.  On  the  23d  of  March  a  large  party  of 


276  AMERICAN   INDIGNATION   GROWING. 

citizens  of  the  Matanzas  district  passed  through  Havana  on  their 
to  the  transport.  It  was  a  sad  procession.  Hopeless,  jaded,  despair- 
ing men,  with  arms  tied  behind  them  and  feet  shackled,  forced  to  leave 
Cuba  and  face  a  slow,  horrible  death.  On  the  train  from  Matanzas  two 
of  these  unfortunates  were  literally  shot  to  pieces.  The  guards  reported 
they  tried  to  escape  and  were  shot  in  the  attempt,  Their  fellow-prison- 
ers told  a  different  story.  "The  two  men  were  deliberately  taken  out 
on  the  platform  between  the  cars  and  fired  upon.  And  the  soldiers 
would  give  no  reason,"  The  action  could  likely  be  traced  to  personal 
revenge. 

For  three-quarters  of  a  century  the  misgovernment  of  Spain  in 
Cuba  was  a  neighborhood  shame  and  scandal  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States.  Warning  off  the  interference  of  any  other  foreign 
nation,  under  the  policy  known  as  the  "Monroe  Doctrine,"  the  American 
people  witnessed  the  repeated  efforts  of  a  less  favored  nation  of  this 
hemisphere  to  release  itself  from  the  grasp  of  the  oppressor.  They  wit- 
nessed at  the  periods  of  each  of  these  revolts  their  own  ships  of  war 
patroling  the  southern  coast  and  the  waters  adjacent  to  Cuba  to  inter- 
cept any  young  Americans  whose  sympathies  might  lead  them  to  join 
the  Cuban  cause,  and  they  acquiesced,  because  the  law  as  it  stotfd 
exacted  it.  They  witnessed  in  more  than  one  of  these  revolts,  when 
some  young  Americans,  who  had  eluded  the  vigilance  of  United  States 
cruisers,  landed  on  the  island  and  were  captured  by  Spanish  troops. 
These  young  men  stood  against  the  walls  of  Morro  Castle  and  were  shot 
like  dogs,  because  their  government  was  powerless  under  the  law  to  aid 
them.  They  witnessed  the  offers  on  the  part  of  their  government  at 
various  times  to  terminate  the  continued  scandal  upon  civilized  gov- 
ernment at  one  of  the  doorways  of  their  country  by  the  purchase  of 
the  island  for  a  generous  sum  of  money,  and  the  rejections  of  such 
propositions  by  Spain. 

The  American  people  finally  realized  that  peace  could  never  come 
to  Cuba  until  it  was  imposed  by  the  action  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  opinion  gradually  grew  that  neither  international  obligations  nor 
,a  desire  for  the  maintenance  of  friendly  relations  with  Spain  could 
justify  our  government  in  permitting  these  outrages  to  continue  at  our 
doors. 


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CHAPTER  XXX. 
OUTRAGES   ON  AMERICANS   IN   CUBA. 

IIow  Spain  Pays  Her  Debts — An  Old  Soldier's  Experience — The  Case  of 
Pedro  Casanova — Destruction  of  Property — Robbery  and  Murder — A 
Cruel  Attack — The  Insurgents  to  the  Rescue — Hiding  in  a  Cane 
Field — The  Appeal  to  the  Consul — Intervention  Justifiable. 

Many  American  citizens  in  Cuba  have  been  confined  in  Spanish  pris- 
ons, a  number  have  been  sent  to  the  penal  colonies,  the  property  of  some 
has  been  confiscated,  and  others  have  been  murdered  in  cold  blood.  A 
celebrated  case,  which  shows  how  slowly  the  wheels  of  justice  some- 
times revolve,  was  that  of  Antonio  Maximo,  a  naturalized  American 
citizen.  He  was  condemned  to  death,  and  his  estates  declared  the  prop- 
erty of  the  government,  by  order  of  a  court-martial,  in  1870.  He  was 
charged  with  participating  in  the  revolution  then  going  on  in  Cuba  and 
convicted,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  was  not  residing  oil  the  island. 
The  United  States  demanded  restitution  and  indemnification,  and  in 
1873  the  Spanish  republic  admitted  that  the  claim  was  just.  The  decree 
was  confirmed  in  1876  by  the  royal  government,  but  the  authorities  in 
Cuba  delayed  its  execution  until  the  estates  were  in  ruins.  Spain  finally 
offered  the  sum  of  1,500,000  pesos  as  indemnity,  and  this  offer  was  ac- 
cepted in  1886.  The  Cortes,  however,  made  no  appropriation  for  the 
payment,  and  in  1888  the  Spanish  minister  of  state  attempted  to  affix 
to  the  agreement  the  new  condition  that  certain  claims  of  Spanish  sub- 
jects should  be  adjudicated  and  settled  simultaneously.  Secretary  Bay- 
ard rejected  the  proposition,  and  our  government  continued  to  urge  the 
Spanish  authorities  to  fufill  their  contract.  On  June  12,  1895,  Secre- 
tary Olney  instructed  Hannis  Taylor,  United  States  minister  at  Madrid, 
to  ask  Spain  to  give  assurances  that  she  would  settle  the  claim  within 
two  months.  The  Spanish  government  then  offered  to  pay  the  principal 
of  the  claim,  and  the  claimant  agreed  to  forego  the  interest.  On  Sep- 
tember 14,  the  original  claimant  having  died,  the  Spanish  government 
paid  |1,499,000,  equal  to  1,500,000  pesos,  in  settlement  of  the  long-stand- 
ing claim. 

15  279 


280  OUTRAGES   ON   AMERICANS   IN   CUBA. 

An  Old  Soldier's  Experience. 

William  Ewing,  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  served  in  the  Seventeenth 
United  States  infantry  all  through  the  civil  war,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  He  went  to  Cuba,  and  invested  f  7,000,  all  the  money  he  had, 
in  a  sugar  plantation,  and  with  his  wife  and  daughter  and  his  brother- 
in-law,  William  Hamilton,  he  took  up  his  abode  on  the  island. 

Finally,  owing  to  the  unsettled  conditions  resulting  from  the  war, 
he  sent  his  family  back  to  the  United  States,  and  joined  the  insurgent 
army.  His  brother-in-law  also  espoused  the  Cuban  cause,  and  was  killed 
in  battle.  Discouraged  by  his  reverses,  he  decided  to  return  to  his 
native  land,  and  made  his  escape  from  the  island  by  boarding  a  block- 
ade runner,  which  landed  him  at  Atlantic  City,  from  where  he  walked 
to  New  York.  Grand  Army  comrades  gave  him  food  and  shelter,  and 
assisted  him  to  reach  his  family.  This  man  has  a  personal  interest  in 
the  success  of  the  cause,  for  when  that  time  comes  he  hopes  to  regain 
possession  of  his  property. 

The    Case  of  Pedro  Casanova. 

Pedro  Casanova,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  resided  near  the  little 
railway  station  of  San  Miguel  de  Jaruca  with  his  family,  which  consists 
of  his  wife  and  three  children  and  his  nephew,  the  latter  born  in  the 
United  States.  He  told  the  story  of  his  wrongs  at  the  hands  of  the 
Spaniards  to  a  representative  of  the  New  York  Herald  in  the  following 
words: 

"I  have  suffered  great  outrages  from  the  Spanish  soldiers.  The  sol- 
diers recently  passed  on  the  road,  and  my  wife  called  my  attention  to 
the  fact  that  they  had  broken  into  a  vacant  house  where  valuable  prop- 
erty was  stored,  and  were  pulling  things  in  pieces.  Just  then  I  saw  two 
officers  coming  toward  the  house.  I  was  very  glad,  and  went  out  to  meet 
them,  and  invited  them  to  enter  the  house  and  refresh  themselves.  They 
accepted,  and  said  they  liked  coffee.  While  they  were  drinking,  one  or 
two  soldiers  came  and  spoke  to  the  captain,  who  asked  me,  'Who  are 
the  men  in  the  sugar  house?'  'My  employes,'  I  replied,  'including  one 
engineer.  The  others  are  engaged  in  repairs.' 

"The  captain  said:  'I  hear  rebels  are  hidden  there.  I  must  take  the 
men  before  the  major  for  examination;  the  major  himself  will  be  here 
to-morrow.' 


OUTRAGES   ON   AMERICANS   IN    CUBA.  281 

"After  he  left  I  found  the  door  of  the  house  on  the  hill  broken  open. 
A  quantity  of  bottled  beer  had  been  taken,  also  my  saddles  and  bridles, 
and  many  other  things.  Gloves  and  other  articles  of  woman's  apparel 
were  tossed  in  the  yard.  I  went  to  the  station.  The  drug  store  looked 
as  if  it  had  been  visited  by  a  mad  bull.  All  the  shelves  and  drawers 
were  thrown  out  and  smashed.  An  empty  store  opposite  was  in  the 
same  condition.  The  counter  was  thrown  down  and  the  door  posts 
hacked  by  machetes.  The  large  coffee  mill  was  broken,  and  all  was  in 
disorder.  An  account  of  this  work  was  what  the  soldiers  had  whis- 
pered to  the  captain.  The  officer  had  remarked  to  me  with  a  sneer: 
'The  insurgents  are  very  kind  to  you,  as  no  harm  has  been  done  here.' 

"I  was  surprised  on  the  following  Wednesday  morning  to  hear  shots 
as  of  several  volleys  of  musketry.  About  three  hundred  soldiers — in- 
fantry and  cavalry — were,  in  fact,  outside,  having  surrounded  my  house. 
More  soon  appeared  under  command  of  Captain  Cerezo  Martinez.  In 
most  brutal  and  vulgar  terms  he  ordered  all  in  the  house  to  go  outside. 
The  soldiers  mshed  in  and  dragged  me  out  by  the  coat  collar.  My  wife, 
with  her  baby,  was  taken  out,  a  rifle  being  pointed  at  her  breast.  Eleut- 
rie  Zanabria,  a  negro  servant,  who  was  badly  frightened,  tried  to  hide. 
He  was  pulled  to  the  front,  and  before  my  eyes  a  soldier  struck  him  a 
heavy  blow  with  his  machete,  cutting  him  deep  in  the  head  and  arm, 
leaving  a  pool  of  blood  on  the  floor.  The  wound  was  serious. 

"An  order  was  then  given  to  take  into  custody  all  men  on  the  estate. 
Near  a  tree  beyond  the  hill,  one  hundred  yards  from  the  house,  I  stopped, 
about  forty  paces  from  the  others,  to  talk  to  the  captain,  who  had  been 
at  the  house  the  week  before.  At  that  moment  a  young  negro,  Manuel 
Febels,  made  a  dash  to  escape.  Some  cavalrymen  rushed  after  him, 
firing.  He  fell,  and  they  mutilated  his  body,  taking  out  his  eyes.  The 
officer,  enraged  at  the  negro's  flight,  pulled  out  his  sabre,  and  shouted 
to  the  others  of  the  party:  'Get  down  on  your  knees!'  They  obeyed  and 
he  had  them  bound  and  kept  in  that  position  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

"While  I  was  talking  to  the  captain  my  wife  and  five-year-old  child 
were  begging  for  mercy  for  me.  The  cavalrymen  helped  themselves  to 
corn  for  their  horses,  and  finally  started.  The  officers  told  me  that  my 
nephew's  life  and  my  own  were  only  spared  because  we  were  Ameri- 
cans, and  they  did  not  want  to  get  into  trouble  with  the  United  States. 
They  then  ordered  me  to  leave  San  Miguel  without  waiting  a  moment. 

"Their  explanation  of  the  raid  was  that  the  rebels  had  fired  upon 
the  troops,  and  that  they  saw  one  man  run,  as  be  fired,  into  my  house, 


282  OUTRAGES   ON   AMERICANS   IN    CUBA. 

and  that,  under  the  major's  instructions,  the  whole  family  should  have 
been  killed.  My  wife  and  children  were  in  agony  while  I  was  away. 
My  employes  were  all  taken  away  by  the  troops. 

"An  officer  of  high  rank  in  the  Spanish  army  passed  my  place  after 
I  left,  came  to  me  here,  and  said:  'I  know  what 'has  happened.  The 
man  in  command  is  unfit  to  be  an  officer  of  Spain.'  I  heard  that  my  men 
had  been  taken  to  the  Spanish  camp  and  shot  while  eating  breakfast." 

Destruction  of  Property. 

The  brothers  Farrar,  in  presenting  their  claim  for  indemnity,  made 
the  following  statement: 

"On  Saturday,  March  21,  the  dwelling  house  of  the  coffee  planta- 
tion Estrella  was  the  object  of  a  wanton  attack  by  the  column  of  Gen. 
Bernat,  operating  in  that  region.  The  said  building  received  cannon 
shots  of  grape  and  cannister,  breaking  the  door,  one  window,  several 
piazza  columns,  and  greatly  endangering  the  lives  of  the  families  of  my 
brothers,  Don  Tasio  and  Don  Luis  Farrar,  both  American  citizens. 
There  were  two  small  children  in  the  house.  From  my  information  it 
appears  that  the  troops  mentioned  had  sustained  fire  with  a  rebel  band 
in  Paz  plantation,  a  quarter-league  from  Estrella.  The  rebels  having 
fled  to  Pedroso  and  Buena  Esperanza  plantations,  the  government 
troops  advanced  toward  Estrella  in  quite  an  opposite  direction  from 
that  taken  by  the  rebels.  On  arriving  at  the  borders  of  Estrella  planta- 
tion the  Spanish  column  began  firing  cannon  at  the  dwelling  house,  and 
it  was  immediately  invaded  by  the  soldiers,  who  ransacked  it,  carrying 
off  wardrobes,  all  jewelry  and  men's  clothing  which  they  contained,  as 
well  as  the  sum  of  about  $60  in  money.  They  also  took  away  everything 
found  in  workmen's  dwellings,  arresting  at  the  same  time  twelve  of  the 
occupants,  whom  they  conducted  to  Alquizar  as  insurgents.  It  should 
be  observed  that  the  cannon  were  fired  solely  at  the  dwelling  house  of 
the  owners,  although  there  were  twenty  other  buildings  on  the  planta- 
tion, and  the  place  was  entirely  clear  of  insurgents. 

"In  consideration  of  all  the  above,  and  particularly  on  account  of 
the  danger  to  which  his  relatives  were  exposed,  and  also  for  the  un- 
justifiable looting  on  the  part. of  the  regular  troops  in  the  service  of  a 
constituted  government,  the  undersigned  does  most  solemnly  protest, 
and  asks  an  immediate  indemnity  for  the  damages  suffered,  which  he 
values  at  $5,000,  as  all  work  has  been  stopped  on  the  plantation  and 
everything  abandoned," 


OUTRAGES   ON   AMERICANS   IN   CUBA.  283 

A  Cruel  Attack. 

The  case  of  Dr.  Deligado  is  a  particularly  pathetic  one.  His  home 
was  in  New  York,  where  he  was  a  practicing  physician,  but  he  went 
to  Cuba  to  take  possession  of  some  property  which  he  had  inherited. 
His  father  told  the  story  of  their  sufferings  to  a  correspondent,  and  his 
account  wras  supplemented  by  additional  particulars  from  the  doctor 
himself.  The  elder  gentleman  said : 

"Our  plantation  is  called  Dolores,  the  old  name  being  Morales.  It 
was  about  half  past  one  on  the  4th  day  of  March  when  a  regiment  of 
rebels,  about  four  hundred  or  five  hundred  men,  invaded  the  place.  They 
told  us  they  were  Maceo's  men,  and  soon  after  them  came  Maceo,  with 
twenty-four  women,  sixteen  whites  and  eight  mulattoes.  I  understood 
that  these  women  were  the  wives  of  the  officers. 

"Maceo  shook  hands  politely  and  asked  if  I  would  allow  them  to  take 
breakfast  with  us.  Of  course  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  say  yes,  and 
the  men  spread  themselves  over  about  seventy  acres  of  the  plantation, 
the  officers  and  ladies  coming  into  the  house.  They  had  provisions  with 
them,  but  desired  to  cook  and  serve  them,  which  they  did.  They  sat 
down  at  the  table  and  were  soon  joking  and  laughing.  Suddenly  we 
heard  rifle  shots.  Hernandez  yelled  to  his  wife  to  hand  him  his  ma- 
chete. Then  all  went  out  and  found  that  the  firing  had  come  from  what 
seemed  to  be  an  advance  guard  of  the  Spanish  troops.  There  was  some 
skirmishing  at  a  distance,  and  the  insurgents  rode  away.  They  did  not 
wish  to  fight  on  the  plantation,  as  they  were  on  another  mission. 

"The  Spaniards  had  fired  the  cane,  thinking  there  were  other  insur- 
gents hiding  there.  Spanish  bullets  rattled  on  the  tiled  roof  of  the 
house,  and  farm  hands  who  were  plowing  back  of  the  house  got  fright- 
ened and  wished  to  come  in. 

"After  a  while  I  opened  the  window  to  see  how  matters  stood  and 
saw  two  cavalrymen  and  a  captain,  with  two  soldiers.  My  son  and  the 
farm  hands  went  out  toward  the  burning  cane  in  an  attempt  to  save 
some  oxen  that  were  near  the  cane.  When  the  captain  saw  them  he 
shouted:  'Who  are  those  people ?>  I  told  him  they  were  our  workmen, 
and  he  then  gave  orders  to  clear  the  house.  They  rushed  their  horses 
right  through  the  house,  the  captain  lea-ding  them.  I  took  out  my 
American  papers  and  showed  them  to  him  to  prove  that  I  was  a  peace- 
ful citizen.  'They  are  the  worst  documents  you  could  have/  said  the 
captain.  They  answered  my  son  in  the  same  way,  and  the  captain  re- 


284  OUTRAGES  ON  AMERICANS  IN   CUBA. 

peated  tke  order  to  clear  the  house.  Then  they  ordered  us  to  march  on 
as  prisoners  and  told  the  women  to  stay  back.  My  son  asked  them  to 
let  me  stay  back  with  the  women,  and  they  allowed  me  to  do  so.  Of 
course  the  women  were  panic-stricken  and  screaming  when  they  saw 
their  husbands  being  taken  away. 

"We  heard  shots  and  then  a  second  volley.  One  of  the  women  cried 
out:  'They  have  killed  my  husband!'  Her  words  were  true.  After 
about  three  hours  I  ventured  out,  and  I  saw  coming  towards  the  house 
the  old  farm  hand,  a  man  of  about  seventy.  He  seemed  to  be  holding  a 
red  handkerchief  over  his  arm,  but  when  I  got  nearer  I  saw  that  it  was 
covered  with  blood.  He  cried  out  when  he  saw  me:  'They  have  killed 
them."  'My  son!  My  son!' I  cried.  'He  was  the  first  one  they  killed,' he 
said. 

"I  took  the  man  in  the  house  and  tried  to  bind  up  his  arm,  which  had 
been  shattered  by  a  bullet.  I  endeavored  to  pacify  the  women,  and  told 
them  they  should  go  to  the  nearest  neighbors  for  help.  The  two  white 
farm  hands,  who  had  been  hiding  in  the  cane,  then  came  over  toward 
the  house,  while  I  was  trying  to  quiet  the  women.  They  were  afraid  to 
move,  panic-stricken,  and  would  not  go  for  help. 

"Suddenly  a  young  man  dashed  up  to  the  house  at  full  gallop.  He 
drew  his  revolver  and  told  the  farm  hands  to  get  cots  and  pillows  and 
medicine  to  bring  to  the  missing  men  in  case  any  of  them  should  be  still 
alive.  He  said  he  would  shoot  them  if  they  disobeyed,  and  they  did  as 
he  directed.  They  made  up  a  litter,  and  we  walked  on  till  we  found  the 
place  where  the  men  lay  in  a  pool  of  blood. 

"I  looked  into  my  son's  face  and  cried  out:  'My  son,  my  son!'  He 
opened  his  eyes  and  whispered :  'Father,  they  have  killed  us.' ' 

The  old  gentleman  broke  down  in  a  passion  of  weeping  ajt  these 
recollections  of  the  awful  scene,  and  the  son  gave  his  account  of  the  hor- 
rible butchery: 

"They  marched  us  along,"  said  the  Doctor,  "and  I  spoke  to  the  gen- 
eral: 'General,  I  am  an  American  citizen,  and  here  are  my  papers  from 
Mr.  Williams.'  'They  are  the  worst  things  you  could  have,'  he  said.  'I 
wish  the  Consul  were  here  himself,  so  that  1  could  treat  him  thus,'  and 
he  struck  me  three  times  in  the  face.  Then  he  sounded  the  bugle  calling 
the  volunteers,  and  ordered  us  taken  to  the  rear  guard.  Of  course,  we 
knew  that  this  meant  death.  They  tied  us  in  a  line  with  our  hands  pin- 
ioned. I  knew  the  sergeant  and  said  to  him:  'Is  it  possible  that  you 
are  going  to  kill  me?'  'How  can  I  help  it?'  he  answered.  Then  the  order 


OUTRAGES   ON   AMERICANS    IN    CUBA.  285 

was  given  and  the  soldiers  rushed  upon  us  with  machetes.  Their  knives 
cut  our  ropes  as  we  tried  to  dodge  the  blows,  and  the  soldiers  fired  two 
volleys  at  us.  The  first  shot  grazed  my  head,  and  I  dropped  to  the  ground 
as  though  dead.  The  old  farm  hand  also  threw  himself  to  the  earth. 
This  act  saved  our  lives. 

"The  other  four  men  who  tried  to  fight  were  killed.  At  the  second 
discharge  a  bullet  pierced  my  side.  When  we  all  lay  as  though  dead 
they  came  up  and  turned  us  over  and  searched  our  pockets — mine  first, 
of  course,  as  I  was  better  dressed  than  the  other  men.  One  of  the  soldiers 
noticed  that  my  breast  moved  and  shouted  out:  'This  fellow  is  not  dead 
yet.  Give  him  another  blow,'  and  he  raised  his  machete  and  gave  me  a 
slash  across  the  face  and  throat.  Then  I  became  unconscious." 

Delgado's  father  took  up  the  story  as  his  son  left  off:  "The  brave 
young  man  who  .brought  us  to  the  place  where  niy  son  was,  now  jumped 
from  his  horse  and  gave  orders  to  the  men  to  lift  my  son  on  the  litter,  as 
we  found  he  was  the  only  man  still  living.  We  put  a  pillow  under  his 
head,  and  the  two  farm  hands  lifted  the  litter  and  carried  it  into  the 
cane  field.  Meanwhile  the  women  relatives  of  the  dead  men  came  up 
and  began  to  wail  and  cry.  The  young  man,  whom  we  afterwards  found 
was  an  insurgent  leader,  told  them  they  should  be  quiet,  as  their  lamen- 
tations would  bring  the  Spanish  troops  upon  the  scene  again. 

"Then  the  litter  was  carried  into  the  cane  field.  This  young  man  said: 
'You  must  immediately  write  to  the  American  consul.  I  will  furnish 
you  with  a  messenger,  and  you  may  rest  safely  in  this  cane  field  with 
your  son.  I  will  put  a  guard  of  500  men  around  it  so  that  they  cannot 
burn  it,  as  they  do  when  they  know  people  are  hiding  in  the  cane.' 

"For  five  days  I  was  in  the  cane  field  with  my  son.  It  rained  upon 
us,  and  then  I  put  the  pillows  over  my  son's  chest,  in  order  to  protect 
him.  I  suffered  greatly  from  rheumatism.  Only  the  young  man  ap- 
peared and  said  that  General  Maceo  had  sent  a  guard  to  escort  me  back 
to  my  home.  With  my  boy  we*  were  taken  there  and  guard  kept  around 
our  house.  The  messenger  came  back  from  the  Consul,  and  I  came  on  to 
Havana  to  see  General  Weyler,  who  had  my  son  brought  here  to  the 
city." 

Stories  of  outrages  on  Americans  that  are  unquestionably  true  might 
be  furnished  in  numbers  sufficient  to  more  than  fill  this  entire  volume, 
but  enough  have  been  given  to  convince  the  most  skeptical  that  the  de- 
mand for  intervention  was  justified  on  our  own  account,  as  well  as  for 
the  sake  of  the  people  of  Cuba. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 
McKINLEY  SUCCEEDS  CLEVELAND. 

The  Cuban  Question  Not  a  New  One — The  Efforts  of  Former  Administrations 
to  Bring  About  a  Settlement — President  Cleveland's  Message — Recom- 
mendations of  President  McKinley — The  Spanish  Minister's  Insulting 
Letter — His  Resignation  Accepted — The  Apology  of  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment. 

For  more  than  ninety  years  the  United  States  government  has  been 
confronted  with  a  Cuban  question.  At  times  it  has  disappeared  from 
our  politics,  but  it  has  always  reappeared.  Once  we  thought  it  wise 
to  prevent  the  island  from  winning  its  independence  from  Spain,  and 
thereby,  perhaps,  we  entered  into  moral  bonds  to  make  sure  that  Spain 
governed  it  decently.  Whether  we  definitely  contracted  such  an  obli- 
gation or  not,  the  Cuban  question  has  never  ceased  to  annoy  us.  The 
controversies  about  it  make  a  long  series  of  chapters  in  one  continuous 
story  of  diplomatic  trouble.  Many  of  our  ablest  statesmen  have  had 
to  deal  with  it  as  Secretaries  of  State  and  as  Ministers  to  Spain,  and  not 
one  of  them  has  been  able  to  settle  it.  One  President  after  another 
has  taken  it  up,  and  every  one  has  transmitted  it  to  his  successor.  It 
has  at  various  times  been  a  "plank''  in  the  platforms  of  all  our  political 
parties — as  it  was  in  both  the  party  platforms  of  1896 — and  it  has  been 
the  subject  of  messages  of  nearly  all  our  Presidents,  as  it  was  of  Pres- 
ident Cleveland's  message  in  December,  1896,  in  which  he  distinctly  ex- 
pressed the  opinion  that  the  United  States  might  feel  forced  to  recognize 
"higher  obligations"  than  neutrality  to  Spain.  In  spite  of  periods  of 
apparent  quiet,  the  old  trouble  has  always  reappeared  in  an  acute  form, 
and  it  has  never  been  settled;  nor  has  there  recently  been  any  strong- 
reason  for  hope  that  it  could  be  settled  merely  by  diplomatic  negotia- 
tion with  Spain.  Our  diplomats  have  long  had  an  experience  with 
Spanish  character  and  methods  such  as  the  public  can  better  understand 
since  war  has  been  in  progress.  The  pathetic  inefficiency  and  the  con- 
tinual indirection  of  the  Spanish  character  are  now  apparent  to  the 
world ;  they  were  long  ago  apparent  to  those  who  have  had  our  diplo- 
matic duties  to  do. 

286 


• 


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McKlNLEY    SUCCEEDS    CLEVELAND.  289 

Thus  the  negotiations  dragged  on.  We  were  put  to  trouble  and  ex- 
pense to  prevent  filibustering,  and  filibustering  continued  in  spite  of 
ns.  More  than  once  heretofore  has  there  been  danger  of  international 
conflict,  as  for  instance  when  American  sailors  on  the  Virginius  were 
executed  in  Cuba  in  1873.  Propositions  have  been  made  to  buy  the 
island,  and  plans  have  been  formed  to  annex  it.  All  the  while  there 
have  been  great  American  interests  in  Cuba,  Our  citizens  have  owned 
much  property  and  made  investments  there,  and  done  much  to  develop 
its  fertility.  They  have  paid  tribute,  unlawful  as  well  as  lawful,  both 
to  insurgents  and  to  Spanish  officials.  They  have  lost  property,  for 
which  no  indemnity  has  been  paid.  All  the  while  we  have  had  a  trade 
with  the  island,  important  during  periods  of  quiet,  irritating  during 
periods  of  unrest. 

Trouble  Not  a  New  One. 

The  Cuban  trouble  is,  therefore,  not  a  new  trouble,  even  in  an  acute 
form.  It  had  been  moving  forward  toward  a  crisis  for  a  long  time. 
Still,  while  our  government  suffered  these  diplomatic  vexations,  and 
our  citizens  these  losses,  and  our  merchants  these  annoyances,  the  mass 
of  the  American  people  gave  little  serious  thought  to  it.  The  news- 
papers kept  us  reminded  of  an  opera  bouffe  war  that  was  going  on,  and 
UOAV  and  then  there  came  information  of  delicate  and  troublesome  dip- 
lomatic duties  for  our  Minister  to  Spain.  If  Cuba  were  within  a  hun- 
dred miles  of  the  coast  of  one  of  our  populous  States,  and  near  one  of 
our  great  ports,  periods  of  acute  interest  in  its  condition  would  doubt- 
less have  come  earlier  and  oftener,  and  we  should  long  ago  have  had 
to  deal  with  a  crisis  by  warlike  measures.  Or  if  the  insurgents  had 
commanded  respect  instead  of  mere  pity,  we  should  have  paid  heed  to 
their  struggle  sooner;  for  it  is  almost  an  American  maxim  that  a  people 
cannot  govern  itself  till  it  can  win  its  own  independence. 

When  it  began  to  be  known  that  Weyler's  method  of  extermination 
was  producing  want  in  the  island,  and  when  appeals  were  made  to 
American  charity,  we  became  more  interested.  President  Cleveland 
found  increasing  difficulty  with  the  problem.  Our  Department  of  State 
was  again  obliged  to  give  it  increasingly  serious  attention,  and  a  reso- 
lute determination  was  reached  by  the  administration  that  this  scandal 
to  civilization  should  cease — we  yet  supposed  peacefully — and  Spain 
was  informed  of  our  resolution.  When  Mr.  McKinley  came  to  the  Pres- 
idency, the  people,  conscious  of  a  Cuban  problem,  were  yet  not  greatly 
aroused  about  it.  Indeed,  a  prediction  of  war  made  at  the  time  of  the 


290  McKINLEY    SUCCEEDS    CLEVELAND. 

inauguration  would  have  seemed  wild  and  foolish.  Most  persons  still 
gave  little  thought  to  Cuba,  and  there  seemed  a  likelihood  that  they 
would  go  on  indefinitely  without  giving  serious  thought  to  it:  for  neither 
the  insurgents,  nor  the  Cuban  junta,  nor  the  Cuban  party  in  the  United 
States,  if  there  was  such  a  party,  commanded  respect. 

President  McKinley's  Message. 

President  McKinley  sent  a  message  to  Congress  a  few  weeks  after 
his  inauguration,  in  which  he  recommended  the  appropriation  of  $50,- 
000  for  the  relief  of  American  citizens  in  Cuba.  It  read  as  follows: 

"Official  information  from  our  Consuls  in  Cuba  establishes  the  fact 
that  a  large  number  of  American  citizens  in  the  island  are  in  a  state 
of  destitution,  suffering  for  want  of  food  and  medicines.  This  applies 
particularly  to  the  rural  districts  of  the  central  and  eastern  parts.  The 
agricultural  classes  have  been  forced  from  their  farms  into  the  nearest 
towns  where  they  are  without  work  or  money.  The  local  authorities  of 
the  several  towns,  however  kindly  disposed,  are  unable  to  relieve  the 
needs  of  their  own  people,  and  are  altogether  powerless  to  help  our 
citizens.  The  latest  report  of  Consul-General  Lee  estimates  that  600 
to  800  are  without  means  of  support.  I  have  assured  him  that  provision 
would.be  made  at  once  to  relieve  them.  To  that  end  I  recommend  that 
Congress  make  an  appropriation  of  not  less  than  $50,000,  to  be  imme- 
diately available  for  use  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 

"It  is  desirable  that  a  part  of  the  sum  which  may  be  appropriated 
by  Congress  should,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  also  be 
used  for  the  transportation  of  American  citizens  who,  desiring  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States,  are  without  means  to  do  so." 

The  joint  resolution  offered  by  Senator  Gallinger,  which  embodied 
the  recommendations  of  President  McKinley,  passed  both  Houses  with- 
out a  dissenting  vote. 

An  influential  journal  printed  the  following  editorial  concerning  this 
measure: 

"It  is  an  essentially  new  departure  in  international  affairs,  and  it 
is  in  order  for  the  sticklers  for  precedent  to  enter  fussy  protestation,  as 
they  did  in  connection  with  the  Venezuelan  question,  against  the  Mon- 
roe doctrine,  declaring  it  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  code  of  interna- 
tional law.  It  is  certainly  very  unusual,  if  not  unprecedented,  for  the 
government  to  make  a  relief  appropriation  for  its  own  people  in  some 
foreign  land.  The  truth  is,  this  Cuban  situation  is  wholly  exceptional. 


McKINLEY    SUCCEEDS    CLEVELAND.  291 

Here  is  a  little  island  in  a  state  of  civil  war.  It  is  largely  a  sectional 
war,  one  part  of  the  island  being  in  possession  of  one  of  the  belligerents, 
and  the  other  section  in  possession  of  the  other  belligerent. 

"Several  hundreds  of  our  American  citizens  are  in  that  section  of  the 
island  occupied  by  Spanish  armies,  and  are  suffering,  in  common  with 
the  Cubans  themselves,  from  a  deliberate  policy  of  starvation.  Weyler 
is  trying  to  conquer  by  famine.  That  is  his  fixed  purpose,  and,  from 
the  nature  of  the  case,  no  discrimination  is  made  between  Spanish  sub- 
jects in  rebellion  and  American  citizens  sojourning  in  the  island.  If  the 
policy  of  starvation  cannot  be  maintained  without  this  indiscrimination 
then  so  much  the  worse' for  Weyler  and  his  policy.  Congress  has  only 
to  make  the  appropriation  asked  for,  and  the  relief  will  go  forward, 
without  regard  to  any  collateral  consequences." 

Be  Lome's  Insulting  Letter. 

One  of  the  most  sensational  incidents  in  connection  with  Spanish 
.affairs  prior  to  the  destruction  of  the  Maine  was  the  publication  of  a 
letter,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Cuban  Junta,  written  by  Senor 
Dupuy  De  Lome,  the  representative  of  the  Spanish  government  in 
Washington,  to  the  editor  of  a  newspaper  at  Madrid.  A  translation  of 
the  letter  is  given : 

My  Distinguished  and  Dear  Friend: 

You  need  not  apologize  for  not  having  written  to  me.  I  ought  to  have 
written  to  you,  but  have  not  done  so  on  account  of  being  weighed  down  with 
work. 

The  situation  here  continues  unchanged.  Everything  depends  on  the 
political  and  military  success  in  Cuba.  The  prologue  of  this  second  method  of 
warfare  will  end  the  day  that  the  Colonial  Cabinet  will  be  appointed,  and  it 
relieves  us  in  the  eyes  of  this  country  of  a  part  of  the  responsibility  of  what 
may  happen  there,  and  they  must  cast  the  responsibility  upon  the  Cubans, 
whom  they  believe  to  be  so  immaculate. 

Until  then  we  will  not  be  able  to  see  clearly,  and  I  consider  it  to  be  a  loss 
of  time  and  an  advance  by  the  wrong  road,  the  sending  of  emissaries  to  the 
rebel  field,  the  negotiating  with  the  autonomists,  not  yet  declared  to  be  le- 
gally constituted,  and  the  discovery  of  the  intentions  and  purposes  of  this 
government.  The  exiles  will  return  one  by  one,  and  when  they  return  will 
come  walking  into  the  sheepfold,  and  the  chiefs  will  gradually  return. 

Neither  of  these  had  the  courage  to  leave  en  masse,  and  they  will  not  have 
the  courage  to  thus  return.  The  President's  message  has  undeceived  the  in- 


292  McKINLEY    SUCCEEDS    CLEVELAND. 

surgents,  who  expected  something  else,  and  has  paralyzed  the  action  of  Con- 
gress, but  I  consider  it  bad. 

Besides  the  natural  and  inevitable  coarseness  with  which  he  repeats  all 
that  the  press  and  public  opinion  of  Spain  has  said  of  Weyler,  it  shows  once 
more  what  McKinley  is — weak  and  catering  to  the  rabble,  and,  besides,  a  low 
politician,  who  desires  to  leave  a  door  open  to  me  and  to  stand  well  with  the 
jingoes  of  his  party.  Nevertheless,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  it  will  only  depend  on 
ourselves  whether  he  will  prove  bad  and  adverse  to  us. 

I  agree  entirely  with  you  that  without  military  success  nothing  will  be  ac- 
complished there,  and  without  military  and  political  success  there  is  here  al- 
ways danger  that  the  insurgents  will  be  encouraged,  if  not  by  the  government, 
at  least  by  part  of  the  public  opinion.  I  do  not  believe  you  pay  enough  at- 
tention to  the  role  of  England.  Nearly  all  that  newspaper  canaille,  which 
swarm  in  your  hotel,  are  English,  and  while  they  are  correspondents  of  Amer- 
ican journals,  they  are  also  correspondents  of  the  best  rfewspapers  and  re- 
views of  London. 

Thus  it  has  been  since  the  beginning.  To  my  mind,  the  only  object  of  Eng- 
land is  that  the  Americans  should  occupy  themselves  with  us  and  leave  her 
in  peace,  and  if  there  is  a  war,  so  much  the  better.  That  would  further  remove 
what  is  threatening  her,  although  that  will  never  happen.  It  would  be  most 
important  that  you  should  agitate  the  question  of  commercial  relations,  even 
though  it  would  be  only  for  effect,  and  that  you  should  send  here  a  man  of  im- 
portance, in  order  that  I  might  use  him  to  make  a  propaganda  among  the  sen- 
ators and  others,  in  opposition  to  the  Junta  and  to  win  over  exiles. 

There  goes  Amblarad.  I  believe  he  comes  too  deeply  taken  up  with  polit- 
ical matters,  and  there  must  be  something  great  or  we  shall  lose.  Adela  re- 
turns your  salutation,  and  we  wish  you  in  the  new  year  to  be  a  messenger  of 
peace  and  take  this  new  year's  present  to  poor  Spain. 

Always  your  attentive  friend  and  servant,  who  kisses  your  hand, 

ENRIQUE  DUPUY  DE  LOME. 

As  soon  as  this  letter  was  made  public,  De  Lome  cabled  his  res- 
ignation to  the  Spanish  government,  and  withdrew  his  passports  from 
the  State  Department  in  Washington,  thus  saving  himself  the  morti- 
fication of  a  dismissal.  The  Spanish  government  at  Madrid  sent  the 
following  communication  to  Minister  Woodford  regarding  the  affair: 

The  Spanish  Government,  on  learning  of  the  incident  in  which  Minister 
Dupuy  De  Lome  was  concerned,  and  being  advised  of  his  objectionable  com- 
munication, with  entire  sincerity  laments  the  incident,  states  that  Minister  De 
Lome  had  presented  his  resignation,  and  it  had  been  accepted  before  the  pres- 
entation of  the  matter  by  Minister  Woodford.  That  the  Spanish  Ministry,  in 
accepting  the  resignation  of  a  functionary  whose  services  they  have  been  util- 


McKINLEY    SUCCEEDS    CLEVELAND.  293 

izing  and  valuing  up  to  that  time,  leaves  it  perfectly  well  established  that  they 
do  not  share,  and  rather,  on  the  contrary,  disauthorize  the  criticisms  tending 
to  offend  or  censure  the  chief  of  a  friendly  State,  although  such  criticisms  had 
been  written  within  the  field  of  friendship  and  had  reached  publicity  by  artful 
and  criminal  means. 

That  this  meaning  had  taken  shape  in  a  resolution  by  the  Council  of  Min- 
isters before  General  Woodford  presented  the  matter,  and  at  a  time  when  the 
Spanish  Government  had  only  vague  telegraphic  reports  concerning  the  senti- 
ments alluded  to.  That  the  Spanish  nation,  with  equal  and  greater  reason,  af- 
firms its  view  and  decision  after  reading  the  words  contained  in  the  letter  re- 
flecting upon  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

As  to  the  paragraph  concerning  the  desirability  of  negotiations  of  com- 
mercial relations,  if  even  for  effect  and  importance  of  using  a  representative 
for  the  purpose  stated  in  Senor  Dupuy  De  Lome's  letter,  the  government  ex- 
presses concern  that  in  the  light  of  its  conduct,  long  after  the  writing  of  the 
letter,  and  in  view  of  the  unanswerable  testimony  of  simultaneous  and  subse- 
quent facts,  any  doubt  should  exist  that  the  Spanish  Government  has  given 
proof  of  its  real  desire  and  of  its  innermost  convictions  with  respect  to  the  new 
commercial  system  and  the  projected  treaty  of  commerce. 

That  the  Spanish  Government  does  not  now  consider  it  necessary  to  lay 
stress  upon,  or  to  demonstrate  anew  the  truth  and  sincerity  of  its  purpose  and 
the  unstained  good  faith  of  its  intentions.  That  publicly  and  solemnly,  the 
Government  of  Spain  contracted  before  the  mother  country  and  its  colonies 
a  responsibility  for  the  political  and  tariff  charges  which  it  has  inaugurated 
in  both  Antilles,  the  natural  ends  of  which,  in  domestic  and  international 
spheres,  it  pursues  with  firmness,  which  will  ever  inspire  its  conduct. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE  CASE  OF  EVANGELINA  CISNEROS. 

A  Martyr  to  the  Cause — Filial  Devotion — Spanish  Chivalry — In  a  Spanish 
Prison — An  American  Rescuer — Yankee  Pluck  Against  Brute  Force — 
The  Escape — Arrival  in  New  York — Enthusiastic  Reception — A  Home 
in  the  Land  of  Liberty. 

Spanish  officials  in  Cuba  have  always  denied  the  charge  that  they 
made  war  on  women,  and  have  insisted  that  the  tales  of  persecution 
of  the  weaker  sex  that  have  reached  this  country  were  inventions  of 
the  insurgents,  published  to  gain  sympathy  for  their  cause.  In  direct 
contradiction  to  this  claim  is  the  story  of  Evangelina  Cisneros,  the 
niece  of  the  president  of  the  Cuban  republic.  Her  father,  a  Cuban 
patriot  of  prominence,  was  banished  to  the  Isle  of  Pines,  and  she 
showed  her  filial  devotion  by  leaving  a  luxurious  home  to  share  his 
exile.  While  there,  her  beauty  attracted  the  attention  of  a  Spanish 
General,  who  tried  by  every  means  in  his  power  to  gain  her  favor.  It 
was  natural  that  she  should  despise  anyone  who  wore  the  hated  uni- 
form of  Spain,  and,  because  she  rejected  his  advances,  she  was  charged 
with  conspiring  against  the  government,  and  sent  to  a  jail  in  Havana. 

Her  unhappy  fate  attracted  the  attention  of  Mr.  W.  E.  Hearst,  the 
proprietor  of  the  New  York  Journal,  and  he,  actuated  no  doubt  by 
philanthropic  motives,  as  well  as  the  desire  to  advance  the  interests 
of  his  paper,  determined  to  make  an  effort  for  her  release. 

How  this  was  accomplished  is  best  told  by  Mr.  Karl  Decker,  who 
was  Mr.  Hearst's  representative  in  carrying  out  the  plot. 

"I  have  broken  the  bars  of  prison  and  have  set  free  the  beautiful 
captive  of  Monster  Weyler,  restoring  her  to  her  friends  and  relatives, 
and  doing  by  strength,  skill  and  strategy  what  could  not  be  accom- 
plished by  petition  and  urgent  request  of  the  Pope.  Weyler  could 
blind  the  Queen  to  the  real  character  of  Evangelina,  but  he  could  not 
build  a  jail  that  would  hold  against  enterprise  when  properly  set  to 
work. 

"To-night  all  Havana  rings  with  the  story.  It  is  the  one  topic  of 
conversation.  Everything  else  pales  into  insignificance.  No  one  re- 

294 


THE  CASE  OF  EVANGELINA  CISNEROS.  295 

members  that  there  has  beea  a  change  in  the  Ministry.  What  matters 
it  if  Weyler  is  to  go?  Evangelina  Oisneros  has  escaped  from  the  jail, 
thought  by  everyone  to  be  impregnable.  A  plot  has  been  hatched  right 
in  the  heart  of  Havana — a  desperate  plot — as  shown  by  the  revolver 
found  on  the  roof  of  the  house  through  which  the  escape  was  effected, 
and  as  the  result  of  this  plot,  put  into  effect  under  the  very  nose  of 
Spanish  guards,  Evangelina  is  free.  How  was  it  done?  How  could  it 
have  been  done? 

Details  of  the  Escape. 

"These  are  the  questions  asked  to-night  by  the  frequenters  of  the 
cafes  throughout  the  city,  where  the  people  of  Havana  congregate. 
It  is  conceded  by  all,  by  the  officials  of  the  palace  included,  to  be  the 
most  daring  coup  in  the  history  of  the  war,  and  the  audacity  of  the 
deed  is  paralyzing.  No  one  knows  where  Evangelina  is  now,  nor  can 
know. 

"To  tell  the  story  of  the  escape  briefly,  I  came  here  three  weeks 
ago,  having  been  told  to  go  to  Cuba  and  rescue  from  her  prison  Miss 
Cisneros,  a  tenderly-reared  girl,  descended  from  one  of  the  best  fami- 
lies in  the  island,  and  herself  a  martyr  to  the  unsatisfied  desires  of  a 
beast  in  Spanish  uniform.  I  arrived  at  Cienfuegos  late  in  September, 
telegraphed  to  a  known  and  tried  man  in  Santiago  de  Cuba  to  meet 
me  in  Havana,  and  then  went  to  Santa  Clara,  where  I  picked  up  a 
second  man,  known  to  be  as  gritty  as  Sahara,  and  then  proceeded  to 
Havana. 

"Here  I  remained  in  almost  absolute  concealment,  so  as  to  avoid 
the  spies  that  dog  one's  steps  wherever  one  may  go,  arid  make  impossi- 
ble any  clever  work  of  this  kind.  Both  the  men  who  accompanied  me, 
Joseph  Hernandon  and  Harrison  Mallory,  pursued  the  same  course, 
and  remained  quiet  until  all  plans  had  been  completed. 

"The  fact  that  Miss  Cisneros  was  incommunicado  made  the  attempt 
seem  at  first  beyond  the  possibility  of  success,  but  we  finally,  through 
Hernandon,  who  was  born  on  the  island,  and  speaks  Spanish  like  a 
native,  succeeded  in  sending  a  note  to  her  through  an  old  negress,  who 
called  upon  one  of  her  friends  in  the 'prison.  A  keeper  got  this  note 
through  two  hands  to  Miss  Cisneros,  and  three  keepers  later  got  to 
her  a  package  of  drugged  sweets.  Having  established  communica- 
tion with  her,  we  began  work  without  losing  a  day." 


?96  THE  CASE  OF  EVANGELINA  CISNEROS. 

The  Prison  Left  Behind. 

Mr.  Decker  then  tells  how  he  rented  a  house  adjoining  the  prison, 
and  instructed  Miss  Cisneros  to  give  the  drugged  candies  to  the  other 
women  who  were  in  the  prison  with  her.  As  soon  as  the  drug  pro- 
duced the  desired  effect  on  them,  the  bars  of  the  prison  were  cut  from 
the  outside,  and  Miss  Cisneros  was  assisted  through  the  window,  onto 
the  roof  of  the  house  Mr.  Decker  had  rented,  kept  in  concealment  for 
two  days,  and  then  smuggled  on  board  a  ship,  bound  for  the  land  of 
liberty. 

Her  arrival  in  New  York  is  thus  described: 

"Evangeline  Cisneros,  one  week  ago  a  prisoner  among  the  outcast 
wretches  in  a  Havana  prison,  is  a  guest  at  the  Waldorf  hotel.  Sur- 
rounded by  luxury  and  elegance,  she  is  alternately  laughing  and  cry- 
ing over  the  events  of  one  short  week.  One  week  ago  last  night  a  cor- 
respondent broke  the  bars  of  her  cell  and  led  her  to  liberty  over  the 
flat  roofs  of  the  Cuban  capital.  It  is  the  memory  of  those  thrilling 
few  minutes  that  meant  for  her  a  lifetime  of  captivity  or  a  future  of 
peace  and  liberty  that  most  often  occurs  to  her  now. 

"She  arrived  to-day  on  the  Ward  liner,  Seneca,  and  was  taken  from 
the  steamer  by  a  boat  at  quarantine,  thanks  to  the  courtesy  of  the 
Government  and  the  quarantine  authorities.  When  the  Seneca  sailed 
from  Havana  there  figured  on  the  passenger  list  one  Juan  Sola.  A 
girl  who  signed  the  name  of  Juana  Sola  to  the  declaration,  exacted 
by  the  Custom  House  officers,  was  the  nearest  passenger  to  making 
good  the  lost  one.  Her  declaration  wTas  that  she  brought  nothing 
dutiable  into  the  country. 

"If  ever  that  declaration  was  truthfully  made,  it  was  made  in  the 
case  of  this  brown-eyed,  chestnut-haired  girl,  who  was  so  anxious  to 
please  the  man  who  made  her  sign.  All  she  had  was  the  simple  red 
gown  she  had  on  her  back  and  a  bundle  that  contained  a  suit  of  clothes 
such  as  a  planter's  son  might  have  worn. 

"Those  were  the  clothes  that  Juan  Sola  wore  when  he  ran  up  the 
gang-plank  in  Havana,  with  a  big  slouch  hat  over  the  chestnut  hair, 
that  even  danger  of  discovery  could  not  tempt  her  to  cut,  and  a  fat 
cigar  between  a  red,  laughing  pair  of  lips  that  accidentally,  maybe, 
blew  a  cloud  of  smoke  into  the  face  of  the  chief  of  police,  who  was 
watching  that  plank,  and  made  the  features  of  the  young  man  very 
indistinct  indeed. 


h   | 

w  ^ 

h   s 
.2 


THE  CASE  OF  EVANGELINA  CISNEROS.  299 

"There  was  no  reason  why  the  chief  of  police  should  scan  too  closely 
the  young  man  with  the  big  cigar.  Juan  Solans  passport  had  been 
duly  issued  by  the  Spanish  government,  and  as  far  as  the  papers 
showed,  there  was  no  reason  to  suspect  him. 

"Of  course  Juan  Sola  was  the  girl  the  correspondent  had  rescued 
from  prison,  and  the  fame  of  whose  escape  was  on  every  tongue  in 
Havana,  the  girl  for  whose  capture  the  police  had  for  three  days  been 
breaking  into  houses  and  guarding  the  roads,  and  yet  she  passed  under 
their  noses  with  no  disguise  but  a  boy's  suit  of  clothes. 

"Miss  Cisneros  did  not  court  any  more  danger  than  was  necessary, 
and  at  once  went  to  her  cabin.  The  next  day,  however,  when  Morro 
Castle  was  left  far  behind,  she  appeared  on  deck,  transformed  into 
Senorita  Juana  Sola,  alias  Evangelina  Cisneros. 

"When  the  ship  sighted  Cape  Hatteras  light  the  young  woman 
asked  what  light  it  was,  and  when  told  that  it  was  an  American  bea- 
con, she  knelt  down  in  the  saloon  and  prayed.  After  that  she  wept  for 
joy.  She  must  have  been  all  strung  up  with  excitement  over  her  expe- 
riences, and  when  she  saw  the  light  she  could  contain  herself  no 
longer,  but  simply  overflowed. 

"Nothing  could  be  seen  of  the  Cuban  girl  as  the  Seneca  slowed 
opposite  quarantine  to  permit  the  boarding  of  the  health  officer.  The 
other  passengers,  after  the  habit  of  ocean  travelers,  grouped  amid- 
ships to  scan  the  vessel  of  the  tyrant,  who  had  it  in  his  power  to  lock 
them  all  up  in  quarantine.  The  girl  was  hidden  away  in  her  state- 
room, wondering  what  reception  awaited  her  in  the  big  city  whose 
sky-line  broke  the  horizon  ahead. 

"The  people  on  board  were  kind  to  her  from  the  moment  she  re- 
vealed her  identity,  but  at  this  moment  when  she  had  reached  the 
haven  of  refuge,  to  gain  which  she  and  her  gallant  rescuers  had 
risked  death  itself,  she  fled  from  the  new-found  friends  and  would  not 
even  look  out  of  the  door  of  her  stateroom." 

Miss  Cisneros  was  given  a  great  reception  in  Madison  Square  gar- 
den, during  her  stay  in  New  York,  where  many  noted  men  and  women 
congratulated  her  on  her  happy  escape,  and  welcomed  her  to  "the  land 
of  the  free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave."  Since  then  she  has  become 
the  protege  of  Mrs.  John  A.  Logan,  widow  of  the  famous  General,  and 
is  now  a  member  of  her  family. 

It  is  suspected  that  General  Weyler  connived  at  the  escape  of  Miss 
Cisneros,  as  it  is  not  probable  that  it  could  have  been  accomplished 
16 


300  THE   CASE   OF   EVANGELENA   CISNEROS. 

without  the  knowledge  of  the  prison  officials,  and  as  they  wrere  not 
eallecl  to  account  for  their  negligence,  it  would  seem  that  they  were 
simply  obeying  orders  in  keeping  their  eyes  conveniently  closed. 

The  Military  Judge  of  Havana  issued  a  proclamation  commanding 
Miss  Cisneros  to  return  to  prison,  but  it  was  evident  that  this  was 
merely  a  legal  formality.  There  were  men  in  Cuba,  occupying  high 
official  positions,  who  could  not  afford  to  have  the  story  of  the  persecu- 
tions of  which  she  was  a  victim,  while  in  voluntary  exile  with  her  father 
in  the  Isle  of  Pines,  made  known,  for  it  would  have  gained  for  them 
the  scorn  and  contempt  of  the  civilized  world.  Her  case  had  attracted 
the  attention  of  men  and  women  of  prominence,  not  only  in  our  own 
country,  but  in  England,  France  and  Germany  as  well,  and  it  was 
likely  to  become  an  international  affair,  and  Weyler  probably  decided 
to  escape  these  complications  by  allowing  her  to  be  "rescued"  from  her 
prison  cell. 

While  all  the  details  of  the  affair  go  to  prove  that  this  supposition 
is  correct,  all  concerned  have  guarded  the  secret  well,  and  it  is  but  just 
to  state  that  there  is  no  direct  proof  to  support  the  theory,  and  both 
the  man  wrho  planned  and  the  one  who  executed  deserved  all  the  honors 
thev  received. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
WORK  OF  MISS  CLARA  BARTON  AND  THE  RED  CROSS 

The  Geneva  Conference — Miss  Barton's  Work  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion — 
Organization  of  the  American  Red  Cross — The  Work  in  Cuba — Appeal 
to  the  Public — A  Floating  Hospital — Correspondence  with  Admiral 
Sampson — The  Spanish  Prisoners  in  Key  West,  and  What  the  Red 
Cross  Did  for  Them. 

Many  attempts  have  been  made  to  bring  about  an  international 
agreement  for  mitigating  the  horrors  and  mortality  of  battle.  The  first 
successful  movement  ot  this  kind  was  started  at  the  same  time  that  the 
civil  war  was  raging  in  the  United  States.  A  conference  of  jurists  and 
others  interested  in  humanitarian  work  was  held  in  Geneva,  Switzer- 
land, in  1863.  They  drew  up  an  international  compact,  which  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Swiss  government,  and  the  support  and  sanction  of  the 
French  empire  were  won.  It  was  several  years,  however,  before  the 
articles  of  agreement  were  signed  by  all  the  civilized  nations  of  the 
w^orld,  and,  strange  to  relate,  the  United  States  was  the  last  of  the  great 
powers  to  officially  recognize  the  rights  to  special  protection  secured 
to  the  bearers  of  the  Red  Cross  symbol. 

In  the  autumn  of  1881  a  final  effort  was  made  to  gain  the  agreement 
of  the  United  States  to  the  stipulations  of  the  convention  of  Geneva,  and 
assurances  were  given  by  President  Arthur  of  his  willingness  to  accede. 
The  President  and  the  Senate  subsequently  formally  recognized  the 
association,  and  the  treaty  was  signed  March  16,  1882.  Pending  this 
action  by  the  government,  a  national  society  was  formed  and  incor- 
porated under  the  laws  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  bearing  the  name 
of  the  American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross. 

By  this  international  treaty  the  Red  Cross  society  is  given  peculiar 
privileges  in  times  of  war,  and  its  agents  and  officers  are  permitted  to 
carry  on  their  work  without  hindrance  from  either  of  the  belligerents, 
but  they  are  prohibited  from  having  anything,  however  remote,  to  do 
with  military  or  naval  operations.  They  deal  exclusively  with  the 
means  provided  to  aid  the  wounded,  relieve  the  suffering,  and  care  for 
the  sick,  in  all  of  which  the  Red  Cross  agents  know  neither  friend  nor 

301 


302  MISS  CLAEA  BARTON  AND  THE  RED   CROSS. 

foe.  In  case  of  a  battle  the  ambulances,  surgeons  and  nurses  of  the 
society  go  upon  the  field  at  soon  as  it  is  possible  for  them  to  do  so  and 
carry  out  the  work  of  mercy  that  has  been  undertaken. 

The  American  society  has  been  generous  in  extending  its  aid  to  other 
countries  in  times  of  war,  and  during  the  Franco-Prussian  hostilities  in 
1870-71  it  sent  to  Paris  from  its  own  funds  $120,000,  while  the  French 
branch  expended  $2,500,000.  Even  the  Spanish  branch  contributed  to 
the  humanitarian  work  of  that  war  in  the  sum  of  f  4,000.  In  the  Turko- 
Russian,  the  Tunisian,  the  Tonquin,  the  Madagascar,  the  Grseco-Turkish 
and  several  other  wars  the  Red  Cross  has  carried  on  its  work  of  mercy. 

Miss  Clara  Barton. 

When  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  begun  Miss  Clara  Barton  was  a  clerk 
in  the  Patent  Office  in  Washington,  She  resigned  her  position  to  devote 
herself  to  the  care  of  wounded  soldiers  on  the  field  of  battle.  In  1S64 
she  was  appointed  by  General  Butler  "lady  in  charge"  of  the  hospitals 
at  the  front  of  the  Army  of  the  James.  In  1865  she  was  sent  to  Ander- 
sonville,  Georgia,  to  identify  and  mark  the  graves  of  Union  soldiers 
buried  there,  and  in  the  same  year  was  placed  by  President  Lincoln  in 
charge  of  the  search  for  the  missing  men  of  the  Union  army,  and  while 
engaged  in  this  work  she  traced  out  the  fate  of  30,000  men. 

In  1873  she  inaugurated  a  movement  to  secure  recognition  of  the 
Red  Cross  society  by  the  United  States  government,  and  finally,  during 
the  administration  of  President  Arthur,  she  saw  her  labors  reAvarded. 
She  naturally  became  President  of  the  American  branch  of  the  society, 
which  was  founded  in  1882,  and  she  still  holds  that  honored  office. 

Work  in  Cuba. 

After  Weyler's  infamous  order  of  reconcentration  went  into  effect 
the  Red  Cross  society  was  not  long  in  realizing  that  it  had  work  to  do 
among  the  suffering  people  of  Cuba.  An  appeal  was  made  to  the  public, 
and  an  expedition  was  dispatched  to  the  island,  with  Miss  Barton  at  its 
head.  In  speaking  of  her  work  during  that  reign  of  terror,  Senator 
Proctor  said  in  the  course  of  his  address  to  the  Senate: 

"Miss  Barton  needs  no  endorsement  from  me.  I  have  known  and 
esteemed  her  for  many  years,  but  had  not  half  appreciated  her  capability 
and  her  devotion  to  her  work.  I  especially  looked  into  her  business 
methods,  fearing  here  would  be  the  greatest  danger  of  mistake,  that 


MISS  CLARA  BARTOK  AttD  THE  RED  CROSS.  303 

there  might  be  want  of  system,  and  waste  and  extravagance,  but  I  found 
that  she  could  teach  me  on  all  those  points.  I  visited  the  warehouse 
where  the  supplies  are  received  and  distributed,  saw  the  methods  of 
checking,  visited  the  hospitals  established  or  organized  and  supplied  by 
her,  saw  the  food  distributed  in  several  cities  and  towns,  and  everything 
seems  to  me  to  be  conducted  in  the  best  possible  manner." 

When  diplomatic  relations  were  broken  off  between  our  country  and 
Spain,  and  the  American  consuls  in  Cuba  were  recalled,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  that  the  representatives  of  the  Red  Cross  then  in  Cuba  should 
come  with  them.  Miss  Barton  and  her  assistants  returned  to  New  Yorl? 
and  immediately  commenced  the  work  of  preparation  to  follow  oui 
army  into  Cuba.  The  following  appeal  was  issued: 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  Relief  Corps,  acting  under  the  auspices 
of  American  National  Red  Cross,  has  for  its  objects  the  collection  of  funds  for 
providing  medical  and  surgical  attendance,  nursing,  medical  supplies,  food, 
clothing,  and  such  necessary  assistance  as  may  be  required  by  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  upon  call  of  the  United  States  government,  in  order  to 
unify  all  endeavors  to  that  end  during  the  present  war. 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  Geneva  conference,  from  which  every  Na- 
tional Red  Cross  society  derives  its  authority,  the  American  National  Red 
Cross  is  directed  to  provide  such  relief  as  may  be  required  by  all,  without  rec- 
ognition of  friend  or  foe,  who  may  suffer  from  the  calamities  incidental  to  war, 
pestilence  or  famine. 

The  Red  Cross  here,  and  throughout  the  civilized  world,  by  a  wide  and 
varied  experience  in  recent  wars,  recognizing  by  international  treaty  the 
sacred  obligations  of  helpfulness  for  the  suffering,  wherever  found,  has  so  per- 
fected its  organization  that  it  becomes  the  recognized  and  legitimate  channel 
for  contributions  from  all  classes  of  individuals,  and  every  variety  of  auxiliary 
association. 

For  the  purpose  of  properly  systemizing  the  benevolent  impulses  of  the 
general  public,  and  of  giving  proper  direction  of  efficient  Red  Cross  work,  the 
committee  solicits  the  co-operation  of  individuals  and  auxiliary  associations 
throughout  the  country,  confident  that  through  such  means  the  various  funds 
and  articles  collected  can  most  safely  and  most  directly  reach  their  ultimate 
destination. 

The  steamer  State  of  Texas  was  chartered  and  loaded  with  food, 
medicines  and  hospital  supplies,  and  headquarters  were  established 
at  Key  West. 

When  Miss  Barton  joined  the  State  of  Texas  at  Key  West  on  the 


304  MISS  CLARA  BARTON  AND  THE  RED  CROSS*. 

29th  of  April,  there  seemed  to  be  no  immediate  prospect  of  an  invasion 
of  Cuba  by  the  United  States  army,  and,  consequently,  no  prospect  of 
an  opportunity  to  relieve  the  distress  of  the  starving  Cuban  people. 
Knowing  that  such  distress  must  necessarily  have  been  greatly  intensi- 
fied by  the  blockade,  and  anxious  to  do  something  to  mitigate  it — or,  at 
least,  to  show  the  readiness  of  the  Ked  Cross  to  undertake  its  mitigation 
—Miss  Barton  wrote  and  sent  to  Admiral  Sampson,  Commander  of  the 
Naval  Forces  on  the  North  Atlantic  Station,  the  following  letter: 

S.  S.  State  of  Texas,  May  2,  1898. 
Admiral  W.  T.  Sampson,  U.  S.  N.,  Commanding  Fleet  before  Havana: 

Admiral — But  for  the  introduction  kindly  proffered  by  our  mutual  ac- 
quaintance Captain  Harrington,  I  should  scarcely  presume  to  address  you. 
He  will  have  made  known  to  you  the  subject  which  I  desire  to  bring  to  your 
gracious  consideration. 

Papers  forwarded  by  direction  of  our  government  will  have  shown  the 
charge  intrusted  to  me;  viz.,  to  get  food  to  the  starving  people  of  Cuba.  I  have 
with  me  a  cargo  of  1,400  tons,  under  the  flag  of  the  Red  Cross,  the  one  inter- 
national emblem  of  neutrality  and  humanity  known  to  civilization.  Spain 
knows  and  regards  it. 

Fourteen  months  ago  the  entire  Spanish  government  at  Madrid  cabled  me 
permission  to  take  and  distribute  food  to  the  suffering  people  in  Cuba.  This 
official  permission  was  broadly  published.  If  read  by  our  people,  no  response 
was  made  and  no  action  taken  until  two  months  ago,  when,  under  the  humane 
and  gracious  call  of  our  honored  President,  I  did  go  and  distribute  food,  un- 
molested anywhere  on  the  island,  until  arrangements  were  made  by  our  gov- 
ernment for  all  American  citizens  to  leave  Cuba.  Persons  must  now  be  dying 
there  by  hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  daily,  for  want  of  the  food  we  are  shutting 
out.  Will  not  the  world  hold  us  accountable?  Will  history  write  us  blame- 
less? Will  it  not  be  said  of  us  that  we  completed  the  scheme  of  extermination 
commenced  by  WTeyler? 

Fortunately,  I  know  the  Spanish  authorities  in  Cuba,  Captain-General 
Blanco  and  his  assistants.  We  parted  with  perfect  friendliness.  They  do  not 
regard  me  as  an  American  merely,  but  as  the  National  representative  of  an 
international  treaty  to  which  they  themselves  are  signatory  and  under  which 
they  act.  I  believe  they  would  receive  and  confer  with  me  if  such  a  thing  were 
made  possible. 

I  should  like  to  ask  Spanish  permission  and  protection  to  land  and  dis- 
tribute food  now  on  the  State  of  Texas.  Could  I  be  permitted  to  ask  to  see 
them  under  a  flag  of  truce?  If  we  make  the  effort  and  are  refused,  the  blame 
rests  with  them;  if  we  fail  to  make  it,  it  rests  with  us.  I  hold  it  good  states- 
manship at  least  to  divide  the  responsibility.  I  am  told  that  some  days  must 


MISS  CLARA  BARTON  AND  THE  RED  CROSS.  305 

elapse  before  our  troops  can  be  in  position  to  reach  and  feed  these  starving 
people.    Our  food  and  our  forces  are  here,  ready  to  commence  at  once. 

With  assurances  of  highest  regard,  I  am,  Admiral, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]  CLARA  BARTON. 

At  the  time  when  the  above  letter  was  written,  the  American1  Ee<3 
Cross  was  acting  under  the  advice  and  direction  of  the  State  and  Navy 
Departments,  the  War  Department  having  no  force  in  the  field. 

Admiral  Sampson  replied  as  follows: 

U.  S.  Flagship  New  York,  First  Rate,  Key  West,  Fla.,  May  2,  1898. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  President  American  National  Red  Cross: 

1.  I  have  received  through  the  senior  naval  officer  present  a  copy  of  a 
letter  from  the  State  Department  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  a  copy  of  a 
letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  the  Conimander-in-Chief  of  the  naval 
force  at  this  station;  and  also  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
to  the  commandant  of  the  naval  station  at  Key  West. 

2.  From  these  communications  it  appears  that  the  destination  of  the  S.  S. 
State  of  Texas,  loaded  with  supplies  for  the  starving  reconcentrados  in  Cuba, 
is  left,  in  a  measure,  to  my  judgment. 

3.  At  present  I  am  acting  under  instructions  from  the  Navy  Department 
to  blockade  the  coast  of  Cuba  for  the  purpose  of  preventing,  among  other 
things,  any  food  supply  from  reaching  the  Spanish  forces  in  Cuba.    Under 
these  circumstances  it  seems  to  me  unwise  to  let  a  ship-load  of  such  supplies 
be  sent  to  the  reconceutrados,  for,  in  my  opinion,  they  would  be  distributed 
to  the  Spanish  army.    Until  some  point  be  occupied  in  Cuba  by  our  forces, 
from  which  such  distribution  can  be  made  to  those  for  wThom  the  supplies  are 
intended,  I  am  unwilling  that  they  should  be  landed  on  Cuban  soil. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 
[Signed]  W.  T.  SAMPSON, 

Rear-Admiral  U.  S.  N. 
Commander-in-Chief  U.  S.  Naval  Force,  North  Atlantic  Station. 

After  this  exchange  of  letters  Miss  Barton  had  a  conference  with 
Admiral  Sampson,  in  the  course  of  which  the  latter  explained  more  fully 
his  reasons  for  declining  to  allow  the  State  of  Texas  to  enter  any  Cuban 
port  until  such  port  had  been  occupied  by  American  troops. 

On  the  3d  of  May  Miss  Barton  sent  the  following  telegram  to  Stephen 
E.  Barton,  Chairman  of  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  in  New 
York: 


306  MISS  CLARA  BARTON  AND  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Key  West,  May  3,  1898. 
Stephen  E.  Barton,  Chairman,  etc.: 

Herewith  I  transmit  copies  of  letters  passed  between  Admiral  Sampson 
and  myself.  I  think  it  important  that  you  should  present  immediately  this  cor^ 
respondence  personally  to  the  government,  as  it  will  place  before  them  the  ex-- 
act situation  here.  The  utmost  cordiality  exists  between  Admiral  Sampson  and 
myself.  The  Admiral  feels  it  his  duty,  as  chief  of  the  blockading  squadron,  to 
keep  food  out  of  Cuba,  but  recognizes  that,  from  my  standpoint,  my  duty  is  to 
try  to  get  food  into  Cuba.  If  I  insist,  Admiral  Sampson  will  try  to  open  commu- 
nication under  a  flag  of  truce;  but  his  letter  expresses  his  opinion  regarding 
the  best  method.  Advices  from  the  government  would  enable  us  to  reach  a 
decision.  Unless  there  is  objection  at  Washington,  you  are  at  liberty  to  pub- 
lish this  correspondence  if  you  wish. 

[Signed]  CLARA  BARTON. 

On  May  6  the  Chairman  of  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee  re- 
plied as  follows: 

Washington,  D.  C.,  May  G,  1898. 
Clara  Barton,  Key  West,  Fla.: 

Submitted  3Tour  message  to  President  and  Cabinet,  and  it  was  read  with 
moistened  eyes.  Considered  serious  and  pathetic.  Admiral  Sampson's  views 
regarded  as  wisest  at  present.  Hope  to  land  3*011  soon.  President,  Long,  and 
Moore  send  highest  regards. 

[Signed]  BARTON. 

Under  these  circumstances,  of  course,  there  was  nothing-  for  the  Red 
Cross  steamer  to  do  but  wait  patiently  in  Key  West  until  the  army  of 
invasion  should  leave  Tampa  for  the  Cuban  coast. 

Meanwhile,  however,  Miss  Barton  had  discovered  a  field  of  beneficent 
activity  for  the  Red  Cross  in  Key  West,  where  there  were  nearly  200 
Spaniards,  mostly  fishermen,  prisoners  on  vessels  captured  while  run- 
ning the  blockade,  and  without  means  of  subsistence.  Most  of  these 
unfortunate  men  lived  on  fish  after  they  were  captured  and  none  of 
them  had  a  chance  to  obtain  other  food,  as  under  the  law  they  were 
not  permitted  to  leave  their  vessels.  The  naval  officers  had  no  authority 
to  supply  the  captives  with  food  from  the  ships  in  the  harbor,  so  their 
lot  was  far  from  being  enviable. 

When  Miss  Clara  Barton  received  word  of  their  plight  she  sent  Dr. 
Egan,  the  chief  medical  officer  of  the  expedition,  with  several  attend- 
ants, around  among  the  fleet  of  prizes  to  distribute  food.  On  one  of 
the  larger  smacks  Dr.  Egan  found  that  the  crew  bad  had  nothing  but 


MISS   CLARA   BARTON   AND  THE  ttfit)   CROSS.  307 

fish  to  eat  for  several  days.  The  well  in  the  boat,  in  which  there  were 
hundreds  of  live  fish,  contained  also  a  large  number  of  dead  ones,  which 
were  putrefied  and  were  rapidly  polluting  the  living  ones.  The  physi- 
cian immediately  ordered  the  dead  fish  removed  and  fresh  water  pumped 
into  the  well.  He  then  furnished  bread,  potatoes  and  salt  meat  to  the 
crew,  so  that  the  continuity  of  Friday  diet  might  be  changed. 

The  Red  Cross  relief  boats  made  a  complete  and  accurate  list  of  the 
Spanish  prizes  in  the  harbor — twenty-two  in  all — with  the  numerical 
strength  of  every  crew,  the  amount  of  provisions,  if  any,  on  every  vessel, 
and  the  quantity  and  kind  of  food  that  each  would  require.  This  was  at, 
once  provided,  and  thus  almost  the  first  work  done  by  the  Red  Cross  in 
our  war  with  Spain  was  the  feeding  of  representatives  of  a  nation  that 
had  forced  us  into  war  mainly  because  of  its  policy  of  starvation  of  the 
people  of  Cuba. 

On  the  morning  of  June  20,  the  Red  Cross  steamer  State  of  Texas 
left  Key  West  for  Santiago,  stocked  with  food  and  medicines,  and  having 
on  board  Miss  Barton,  Mr.  Kennan,  and  a  complete  working  force  of 
doctors  and  nurses.  They  were  warmly  welcomed  on  their  arrival  on 
Cuban  shores,  and  the  State  of  Texas  was  the  first  American  ship  to 
enter  the  harbor  of  Santiago  after  the  surrender. 

The  Red  Cross  has  done  a  grand  work  on  many  battlefields  in  every 
quarter  of  the  globe,  but  never  has  it  rendered  more  efficient  aid  to 
suffering  humanity  than  it  did  on  the  southern  shores  of  the  island  of 
Cuba.  On  the  battlefield,  braving  the  bullets  of  the  foe,  in  the  hos- 
pitals, ministering  to  the  wants  of 'the  wounded  and  the  dying,  among 
the  wretched  non-combatants,  giving  food  to  the  starving,  and  nursing 
the  fever-stricken  refugees,  these  noble  men  and  women  wrere  ever 
ready  to  answer  to  the  cry  of  the  needy  and  the  helpless. 


CHAPTER  XXX IV. 
THE    CATASTROPHE    TO   THE   MAINE. 

The  Board  of  Inquiry  in  Session — Its  Report  Received  by  Congress — Spanish 
Officials  in  Cuba  Show  Sympathy — The  Evidence  of  the  Divers — A  Sub- 
marine Mine — The  Officers  and  Men  of  the  Maine  Exonerated — Respon- 
sibility Not  Fixed. 

The  story  of  the  destruction  of  the  battleship  Maine  has  already 
been  told  in  these  pages.  The  Naval  Board  appointed  to  inquire  into 
the  causes  of  the  disaster  was  composed  of  the  following  officers  of  the 
United  States  Navy:  Captain  Sampson,  of  the  Iowa;  Captain  Chad- 
wick,  of  the  New  York;  Captain  Marix,  of  the  Vermont,  and  Lieutenant 
Commander  Potter,  of  the  New  York. 

After  an  investigation  which  lasted  for  more  than  three  weeks,  this 
Board  of  Inquiry  sent  its  report  to  President  McKinley,  who  transmit- 
ted it  to  Congress,  accompanied  by  the  following  message: 

To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States: 

For  some  time  prior  to  the  visit  of  the  Maine  to  Havana  harbor  our  con- 
sular representatives  pointed  out  the  advantages  to  flow  from  the  visits  of 
national  ships  to  the  Cuban  waters,  in  accustoming  the  people  to  the  presence 
of  our  flag  as  the  symbol  of  good  will  and  of  our  ships  in  the  fulfillment  of  the 
mission  of  protection  to  American  interests,  even  though  no  immediate  need 
therefor  might  exist. 

Accordingly,  on  the  24th  of  January  last,  after  conference  with  the  Span- 
ish Minister,  in  which  the  renewal  of  visits  of  our  war  vessels  to  Spanish 
waters  was  discussed  and  accepted,  the  peninsular  authorities  at  Madrid  and 
Havana  were  advised  of  the  purpose  of  this  Government  to  resume  friendly 
naval  visits  at  Cuban  ports,  and  in  that  view  the  Maine  would  forthwith  call 
at  the  port  of  Havana.  This  announcement  was  received  by  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment with  appreciation  of  the  friendly  character  of  ihe  visit  of  the  Maine, 
and  with  notification  of  intention  to  return  the  courtesy  by  sending  Spanish 
ships  to  the  principal  ports  of  the  United  States.  Meanwhile  the  Maine  en- 
tered the  port  of  Havana  on  the  25th  of  January,  her  arrival  being  marked 
with  no  special  incident  besides  the  exchange  of  customary  salutes  and  cer- 
emonial visits. 

The  Maine  continued  in  the  harbor  of  Havana  during  the  three  weeks 

308 


THE  CATASTROPHE  TO  THE  MAINE. 

following  her  arrival.  No  appreciable  excitement  attended  her  stay;  on  the 
contrary,  a  feeling  of  relief  and  confidence  followed  the  resumption  of  the 
long  interrupted  friendly  intercourse.  So  noticeable  was  this  immediate 
•effect  of  her  visit  that  the  Consul-General  strongly  urged  that  the  presence 
of  our  ships  in  Cuban  waters  should  be  kept  up  by  retaining  the  Maine  at 
Havana,  or,  in  the  event  of  her  recall,  by  sending  another  vessel  there  to  take 
;her  place. 

At  forty  minutes  past  nine  in  the  evening  of  the  15th  of  February  the 
Maine  was  destroyed  by  an  explosion,  by  which  the  entire  forward  part  of  the 
:ship  was  utterly  wrecked.  In  this  catastrophe  two  officers  and  two  hundred 
and  sixty-four  of  her  crew  perished,  those  who  were  not  killed  outright  by  her 
explosion  being  penned  between  decks  by  the  tangle  of  wreckage  and 
drow*ncd  by  the  immediate  sinking  of  the  hull. 

Prompt  assistance  was  rendered  by  the  neighboring  vessels  anchored  in 
the  harbor,  aid  being  especially  given  by  the  boats  of  the  Spanish  cruiser  Al- 
phonse  XII.,  and  the  Ward  Line  steamer  City  of  Washington,  which  lay  not 
far  distant.  The  wounded  were  generously  cared  for  by  the  authorities  of 
Havana,  the  hospitals  being  freely  opened  to  them,  while  the  earliest  recov- 
ered bodies  of  the  dead  were  interred  by  the  municipality  in  the  public  ceme- 
tery in  the  city.  Tributes  of  grief  and  sympathy  were  offered  from  all  official 
quarters  of  the  island. 

The  appalling  calamity  fell  upon  the  people  of  our  country  with  crushing 
force  and  for  a  brief  time  an  intense  excitement  prevailed,  which  in  a  commu- 
nity less  just  and  self-controlled  than  ours  might  have  led  to  hasty  acts  of 
blind  resentment.  This  spirit,  however,  soon  gave  way  to  the  calmer  processes 
of  reason  and  to  the  resolve  to  investigate  the  facts  and  await  material  proof 
before  forming  a  judgment  as  to  the  cause,  the  responsibility,  and,  if  the  facts 
warranted,  the  remedy.  This  course  necessarily  recommended  itself  from  the 
outset  to  the  Executive,  for  only  in  the  light  of  a  dispassionately  ascertained 
certainty  could  it  determine  the  nature  and  measure  of  its  full  duty  in  the 
matter. 

The  usual  procedure  was  followed,  as  in  all  cases  of  casualty  or  disaster 
to  national  vessels  of  any  maritime  state.  A  Naval  Court  of  Inquiry  was  at 
once  organized,  composed  of  officers  well  qualified  by  rank  and  practical  ex- 
perience to  discharge  the  duties  imposed  upon  them.  Aided  by  a  strong  force 
of  wreckers  and  divers,  the  court  proceeded  to  make  a  thorough  investigation 
on  the  spot,  employing  every  available  means  for  the  impartial  and  exact  de- 
termination of  the  causes  of  the  explosion.  Its  operations  have  been  con- 
ducted with  the  utmost  deliberation  and  judgment,  and  while  independently 
pursued,  no  source  of  information  was  neglected  and  the  fullest  opportunity 
was  allowed  for  a  simultaneous  investigation  by  the  Spanish  authorities. 


310  TfiE    CATASTROPHE   TO   THE   MAINE. 

Report  of  the  Board  Received. 

The  finding  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry  was  reached  after  twenty-three  days 
of  continuous  labor,  on  the  21st  of  March,  and  having  been  approved  on  the 
22d  by  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  United  States  naval  forces  of  the  North 
Atlantic  station,  was  transmitted  to  the  Executive. 

It  is  herewith  laid  before  Congress,  together  with  the  voluminous  testi- 
mony taken  before  the  court.  Its  purport  is  in  brief  as  follows: 

When  the  Maine  arrived  at  Havana  she  was  conducted  by  the  regular 
government  pilot  to  Buoy  No.  5,  to  which  she  was  moored  in  from  five  and 
one-half  to  six  fathoms  of  water.  The  state  of  discipline  on  board  and  the 
condition  of  her  magazines,  boilers,  coal  bunkers  and  storage  compartments 
are  passed  in  review,  with  the  conclusion  that  excellent  order  prevailed  and! 
that  no  indication  of  any  cause  for  an  internal  explosion  existed  in  any 
quarter. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  February  15th  everything  had  been  re- 
ported secure  and  all  was  quiet.  At  forty  minutes  past  nine  o'clock  the  vessel 
was  suddenly  destroyed.  There  were  two  distinct  explosions  with  a  brief  in- 
terval between  them.  The  first  lifted  the  forward  part  of  the  ship  very  per- 
ceptibly; the  second,  which  was  more  open,  prolonged  and  of  greater  volume, 
is  attributed  by  the  court  to  the  partial  explosion  of  two  or  more  of  the  for- 
ward magazines. 

The  evidence  of  the  divers  establishes  that  the  after  part  of  the  ship  was 
practically  intact  and  sank  in  that  condition  a  very  few  minutes  after  the  ex- 
plosion. The  forward  part  was  completely  demolished.  Upon  the  evidence 
of  a  concurrent  external  cause  the  finding  of  the  court  is  as  follows: 

At  frame  seventeen  the  outer  shell  of  the  ship,  from  a  point  eleven  and 
one-half  feet  from  the  middle  line  of  the  ship,  and  six  feet  above  the  keel,  when 
in  its  normal  position,  has  been  forced  up  so  as  to  be  now  about  four  feet 
above  the  surface  of  the  water;  therefore  about  thirty-four  feet  above  where 
it  would  be  had  the  ship  sunk  uninjured. 

The  outside  bottom  plating  is  bent  into  a  reversed  V-shape,  the  after  wing 
of  which,  about  fifteen  feet  broad  and  thirty-two  feet  in  length  (frame  17  to 
frame  25),  is  doubled  back  upon  itself  against  the  continuation  of  the  same 
place  extending  forward.  At  frame  18  the  vertical  keel  is  broken  in  two  and 
the  flat  keel  bent  into  an  angle  similar  to  the  angle  formed  by  the  outside  bot- 
tom plate.  This  break  is  now  about  six  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  water  and 
about  thirty  feet  above  its  normal  position. 

A  Submarine  Mine. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  court  this  effect  could  have  been  produced  only  by 
the  explosion  of  a  mine  situated  under  the  bottom  of  the  ship,  at  about  frame 
18  and  somewhat  on  the  port  side  of  the  ship. 


THE    CATASTROPHE    TO    THE   MAINE.  311 

The  conclusions  of  the  court  are:  That  the  loss  of  the  Maine  was  not 
in  any  respect  due  to  fault  or  negligence  on  the  part  of  any  of  the  officers  or 
members  of  her  crew; 

That  the  ship  was  destroyed  by  the  explosion  of  a  submarine  mine,  which 
caused  the  partial  explosion  of  two  or  more  of  her  forward  magazines;  and 

That  no  evidence  has  been  obtainable  fixing  the  responsibility  for  the  de- 
struction of  the  Maine  upon  any  person  or  persons. 

I  have  directed  that  the  finding  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry  and  the  views 
of  this  Government  thereon  be  communicated  to  the  Government  of  Her 
Majesty,  the  Queen  Kegent,  and  I  do  not  permit  myself  to  doubt  that  the  sense 
of  justice  of  the  Spanish  nation  will  dictate  a  course  of  action  suggested  by 
honor  and  the  friendly  relations  of  the  two  governments. 

It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  advise  the  Congress  of  the  result, 
and  in  the  meantime  deliberate  consideration  is  invoked. 

(Signed,)  WILLIAM  McKINLEY. 

Executive  Mansion,  March  28,  1898. 

Report  of  the  Investigating  Board. 

The  text  of  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Investigation  was  as  follows : 

U.  S.  S.  Iowa,  first  rate,  Key  West,  Florida,  Monday,  March  21,  1898. 
After  full  and  mature  consideration  of  all  the  testimony  before  it,  the 
court  finds  as  follows: 

1.  That  the  United  States  battleship  Maine  arrived  in  the  harbor  of  Ha- 
vana, Cuba,  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  o:f  January,  Eighteen  Hundred  and  Ninety- 
eight,  and  was  taken  to  Buoy  No.  4,  iu  from  five  and  a  half  to  six  fathoms  of 
water,  by  the  regular  Government  pMot.    The  United  States  Consul-General 
at  Havana  had  notified  the  author]  ties  at  that  place  the  previous  evening  of 
the  intended  arrival  of  the  Maine. 

2.  The  state  of  'discipline  on    board  the  Maine  was  excellent,  and  all 
orders  and  regulations  in  regard  to  1  the  care  and  safety  of  the  ship  were  strict- 
ly carried  out.    All  ammunition  wa  g  stowed  in  accordance  with  prescribed  in- 
structions, and  proper  care  was  t  aken   whenever  ammunition  wa®  handled. 
Nothing  was  stowed  in  any  one  o  f  the  :  magazines  or  shell  rooms  which  was 
not  permitted  to  be  stowed  there. 

The  magazine  and  shell  rooms  were  always  locked  after  having  been 
opened,  and  after  the  destruction  of  tiie  Maine  the  keys  were  found  in  their 
proper  place  in  the  Captain's  cabin,  every thing  having  been  reported  secure 
that  evening  at  eight  P.  M.  The  t>  *joap-eratures  of  the  magazines  and  shell 
room  were  taken  daily  and  reported. .  'Tfoe  only  magazine  which  had  an  undue 
amount  of  heat  was  the  after  10-in  1)4.  maigazine,  and  that  did  not  explode  at 
the  time  the  Maine  was  destroyed. 


312  THE    CATASTROPHE    TO    THE    MAINE. 

The  torpedo  warheads  were  all  stowed  in  the  after  part  of  the  ship  under" 
the  ward  room,  and  neither  caused  nor  participated  in  the  destruction  of  the- 
Maine.  The  dry  gun  cotton  primers  and  detonators  were  stowed  in  the  cabin: 
aft,  and  remote  from  the  scene  of  the  explosion. 

Waste  was  carefully  looked  after  on  board  the  Maine  to  obviate  danger. 
Special  orders  in  regard  to  this  had  been  given  by  the  commanding  officer. 
Varnishes,  dryers,  alcohol  and  other  combustibles  of  this  nature  were  stowed 
on  or  above  the  main  deck  and  could  not  have  had  anything  to  do  with  the 
destruction  of  the  Maine.  The  medical  stores  were  stored  aft  under  the  ward 
room  and  remote  from  the  scene  of  the  explosion.  No  dangerous  stores  of  any 
kind  were  stowed  below  in  any  of  the  other  store  rooms. 

The  coal  bunkers  were  inspected  daily.  Of  those  bunkers  adjacent  to  the 
forward  magazines  and  shell  rooms  four  were  empty,  namely,  "B3,  B4,  B5  and 
B6."  "A5"  had  been  in  use  that  day  and  "A16"'  was  full  of  new  river  coal. 
This  coal  had  been  carefully  inspected  before  receiving  it  on  board.  The  bun- 
ker in  wrhich  it  was  stowed  was  accessible  on  three  sides  at  all  times,  and  the 
fourth  side  at  this  time,  on  account  of  bunkers  "B4"  and  "B6"  being  empty. 
This  bunker,  "A16,v  had  been  inspected  Monday  by  the  engineer  officer  on 
duty. 

The  fire  alarms  in  the  bunkers  were  in  working  order,  and  there  had  never 
been  a  case  of  spontaneous  combustion  of  coal  on  board  the  Maine.  The  two- 
after  boilers  of  the  ship  were  in  use  at  the  time  of  the  disaster,  but  for  auxil- 
iary purposes  only,  with  a  comparatively  low  pressure  of  steam  and  being 
tended  by  a  reliable  watch.  These  boilers  could  not  have  caused  the  explo- 
sion of  the  ship.  The  four  forward  boilers  have  since  been  found  by  the  divers 
and  are  in  a  fair  condition. 

On  the  night  of  the  destruction  of  the  Maine  everything  had  been  reported 
•secure  for  the  night  at  eight  P.  M.  by  reliable  persons,  through  the  proper 
authorities,  to  the  commanding  officer.  At  the  time  the  Maine  was  destroyed 
the  ship  was  quiet,  and,  therefore,  least  liable  to  accident  caused  by  move- 
ments from  those  on  board. 

3.  The  destruction  of  the  Maine  occurred  at  9 :40  P .  M.  on  the  15th  day  of 
February,  1898,  in  the  harbor  of  Havana,  Cuba,  she  being  at  the  time  moored 
to  the  same  buoy  to  which  she  had  been  taken  upon  her  arrival. 

There  were  two  explosions  of  a  distinctly  different  character,  with  a  very 
short  but  distinct  interval  between  them,  and  the  forward  part  of  the  ship 
was  lifted  to  a  marked  degree  at  the  time  o  i  the  first  explosion. 

The  first  explosion  was  more  in  the  nat  ure  of  a  report,  like  that  of  a  gun, 
while  the  second  explosion  was  more  open,  prolonged  and  of  greater  volume. 
This  second  explosion  was,  in  the  opinion  ctf  the  court,  caused  by  the  partial 
explosion  of  two  or  more  of  the  forward  mugazines  of  the  Maine. 

The  evidence  bearing  upon  this,  being  principally  obtained  from  divers, 
did  not  enable  the  court  to  form  a  definite  <<£u<;lusion  a§  to  the  condition  of 


THE    CATASTROPHE    TO    THE    MAINE.  313 

the  wreck,  although  it  was  established  that  the  after  part  of  the  ship  was 
practically  intact  and  sank  in  that  condition  a  very  few  minutes  after  the  de- 
struction of  the  forward  part. 

4.  The  following  facts  in  regard  to  the  forward  part  of  the  ship  are,  how- 
ever, established  by  the  testimony:    That  portion  of  the  port  side  of  the  pro- 
tective deck  which  extends  from  about  frame  30  to  about  frame  41  was  blown 
up  aft,  and  over  to  port,  the  main  deck  from  about  frame  30  to  about  frame 
41  was  blown  up  aft,  and  slightly  over  to  starboard,  folding  the  forward  part 
0^  the  middle  superstructure  over  and  on  top  of  the  after  part. 

This  was,  in  the  opinion  of  the  court,  caused  by  the  partial  explosion  of 
two  or  more  of  the  forward  magazines  of  the  Maine. 

5.  At  frame  17  the  outer  shell  of  the  ship,  from  a  point  eleven  and  one- 
half  feet  from  the  middle  line  of  the  ship  and  six  feet  above  the  keel  when  in 
its  normal  position,  has  been  forced  up  so  as  to  be  now  about  four  feet  above 
the  surface  of  the  water,  therefore,  about  thirty-four  feet  above  where  it 
would  be  had  the  ship  sunk  uninjured.    The  outside  bottom  plating  is  bent 
into  a  reversed  V-shape,  the  after  wing  of  which,  about  fifteen  feet  broad  and 
thirty-two  feet  in  length  (from  frame  17  to  frame  25)  is  doubled  back  upon  it- 
self against  the  continuation  of  the  same  plating  extending  forward. 

At  frame  18  the  vertical  keel  is  broken  in  two  and  the  flat  keel  bent  into1 
an  angle  similar  to  the  angle  formed  by  the  outside  bottom  plating.  This; 
break  is  now  about  six  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  water  and  about  thirty 
feet  above  its  normal  position. 

The  Officers  of  the  Maine  Exonerated. 

In  the  opinion  of  the  court  this  effect  could  have  been  produced  only  by 
the  explosion  of  a  mine  situated  under  the  bottom  of  the  ship  at  about  frame 
18,  and  somewhat  on  the  port  side  of  the  ship. 

6.  The  court  finds  that  the  loss  of  the  Maine  on  the  occasion  named  was 
not  in  any  respect  due  to  fault  or  negligence  on  the  part  of  the  officers  or  men 
of  the  crew  of  said  vessel. 

7.  In  the  opinion  of  the  court  the  Maine  was  destroyed  by  the  explosion 
of  a  submarine  mine,  which  caused  the  partial  explosion  of  two  of  her  for- 
ward magazines. 

8.  The  court  has  been  unable  to  obtain  evidence  fixing  the  responsibility 
for  the  destruction  of  the  Maine  upon  any  person  or  persons. 

W.  T.  SAMPSON, 
Captain  U.  S.  N.,  President. 

A.    MARIX, 
Lieutenant-Commander  U.  S.  N.,  Judge  Advocate. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 
PATIENCE  AT  THE  VANISHING  POINT. 

Our  Former  Troubles  with  Spain  Eecalled — The  Verdict  of  the  People — 
Spanish  Rule  a  Blot  on  Civilization — The  Attitude  of  Other  Nations — • 
The  Necessity  for  Delay — The  Message  to  Congress — "The  War  in  Cuba 
Must  Stop!" 

The  American  people  did  not  wait  for  the  report  of  the  Naval  Board 
to  form  an  opinion  as  to  the  cause  of  the  tragedy.  The  masses  think 
in  events,  and  not  in  syllogisms,  and  this  was  an  event.  This  event 
provoked  suspicions  in  the  public  mind.  The  thought  of  the  whole 
nation  was  instantly  directed  to  Cuba.  The  fate  of  the  sailors  on  the 
Virginius,  twenty-five  years  ago,  was  recalled.  The  public  curiosity 
about  everything  Cuban  and  Spanish  became  intense.  The  Weyler 
method  of  warfare  became  more  generally  known.  The  story  of  our 
long  diplomatic  trouble  with  Spain  was  recalled.  Diplomacy  was 
obliged  to  proceed  with  doors  less  securely  shut.  The  country  watched 
for  news  from  Washington  and  from  Madrid  with  eagerness.  It  hap- 
pened to  be  a  singularly  quiet  and  even  dull  time  in  our  own  political 
life — a  time  favorable  for  the  concentration  of  public  attention  on  any 
subject  that  prominently  presented  itself. 

Leslie's  Weekly  voiced  the  popular  sentiment  in  its  issue  of  April 
14  in  the  following  language: 

"If  the  report  of  the  board  of  inquiry  is  accepted  as  final,  then  the 
destruction  of  the  Maine  was  an  act  of  war.  The  Maine  was  in  a  Span- 
ish harbor  on  a  peaceful  errand.  Its  location  was  fixed  by  the  Spanish 
authorities,  and  if  a  mine  was  planted  in  the  harbor,  it  could  only  have 
been  planted  by  the  Spaniards.  To  think  otherwise  is  to  discredit  the 
official  report  The  verdict  may  be  challenged  by  the  Spanish  govern- 
ment. Spain  may  insist  on  the  raising  of  the  wreck  and  upon  an  expert 
examination.  If  such  an  examination  is  made,  and  if  the  weight  of 
evidence  controverts  the  verdict,  our  position  will  be  humiliating.  We 
take  it,  therefore,  that  our  government  is  entirely  satisfied  with  the 
examination,  and  that  it  accepts  the  verdict  of  the  court  of  inquiry  as 
final  and  without  appeal.  This  verdict  makes  Spain  responsible  for  the 

314 


I 


u 

Q 
tu 
f- 
U 
W 
H 
O 


PATIENCE   AT  THE  VANISHING  POINT.  317 

loss  of  the  Maine,  the  sacrifice  of  the  lives  of  266  heroes,  and  for  all  the 
consequences  involved.  The  indictment  must  be  answered.  Any  other 
nation  than  this  would  have  demanded  an  immediate  answer.  We  can 
wait.  On  the  answer  made  by  Spain  the  issues  of  the  future  must  de- 
pend. No  policy  of  evasion  such  as  Spain  has  pursued  in  all  her  dealings 
with  us  will  enable  her  to  escape.  She  is  at  the  bar  of  judgment  with 
bloody  fingers,  and  must  plead  guilty.  No  other  plea  can  be  accepted. 
And  the  punishment  must  fit  the  crime." 

Causes  Leading  to   Strife. 

The  better  the  condition  of  Cuba  was  understood,  the  more  de- 
plorable it  was  seen  to  be;  the  more  the  government  of  the  island  wras 
examined,  the  wider  seemed  the  divergence  between  Spain's  methods 
and  our  own ;  the  more  the  diplomatic  history  of  the  case  was  considered, 
the  plainer  became  Spain's  purpose  to  brook  no  interference,  whether 
in  the  name  of  humanity  or  in  the  name  of  friendly  commercial  interests. 
The  calm  report  of  the  naval  court  of  inquiry  on  the  blowing  up  of  the 
Maine  and  Senator  Proctor's  report  on  the  condition  of  Cuba  put  the 
whole  people  in  a  serious  mood. 

These  and  more  made  their  contributions  to  the  rapidly  rising  excite- 
ment. But  all  these  together  could  not  have  driven  us  to  war  if  we  had 
not  been  willing  to  be  driven — if  the  conviction  had  not  become  firm  in 
the  minds  of  the  people  that  Spanish  rule  in  Cuba  was  a  blot  on 
civilization  that  had  now  begun  to  bring  reproach  to  us;  and  when  the 
President,  who  favored  peace,  declared  it  intolerable,  the  people  were 
ready  to  accept  his  judgment. 

Congress,  it  is  true,  in  quiet  times,  is  likely  to  represent  the  shallows 
and  the  passing  excitement  of  our  life  rather  than  its  deeper  moods, 
but  there  is  among  the  members  of  Congress  a  considerable  body  of 
conservative  men;  and  the  demand  for  war  was  practically  unanimous, 
and  public  opinion  sustained  it.  Among  the  people  during  the  period 
when  war  seemed  inevitable,  but  had  not  yet  been  declared — a  period 
during  which  the  powers  of  Europe  found  time  and  mind  to  express 
a  hope  for  peace — hardly  a  peace  meeting  was  held  by  influential  men. 
The  President  and  his  Cabinet  were  known  to  wish  longer  to  try  diplo- 
matic means  of  averting  war,  but  no  organized  peace  party  came  into 
existence.  Except  expressions  of  the  hope  of  peace  made  by  commercial 
and  ecclesiastical  organizations,  no  protest  was  heard  against  the  ap- 
proaching action  of  Congress.  Many  thought  that  war  could  be  post- 
17 


318  PATIENCE   AT  THE  VANISHING  POINT. 

poned,  if  not  prevented,  but  the  popular  mood  was  at  least  acquiescent, 
if  not  insistent,  and  it  eventually  became  unmistakably  approving. 

Not  only  was  there  in  the  United  States  an  unmistakable  popular 
approval  of  war  as  the  only  effective  means  of  restoring  civilization  in 
Cuba,  but  the  judgment  of  the  English  people  promptly  approved  it- 
giving  evidence  of  an  instinctive  -race  and  institutional  sympathy.  If 
Anglo-Saxon  institutions  and  methods  stand  for  anything,  the  institu- 
tions and  methods  of  Spanish  rule  in  Cuba  were  an  abomination  and  a 
reproach.  And  English  sympathy  was  not  more  significant  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  necessity  of  the  war,  and  as  a  good  omen  for  the  future  of 
free  institutions,  than  the  equally  instinctive  sympathy  with  Spain  that 
was  expressed  by  some  of  the  decadent  influences  on  the  continent;  in- 
deed, the  real  meaning  of  the  American  civilization  and  ideals  will 
henceforth  be  somewhat  more  clearly  understood  in  several  quarters  of 
the  world. 

American  character  will  be  still  better  understood  when  the  whole 
world  clearly  perceives  that  the  purpose  of  the  war  was  only  to  remove 
from  our  very  doors  this  cruel  and  inefficient  piece  of  mediaevalisin  which 
was  one  of  the  great  scandals  of  the  closing  years  of  the  century. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  we  were  on  the  very  verge  of  war,  with 
all  its  horrors,  all  its  possibilities  of  destruction  to  life  and  happiness, 
the  nation  pursued  its  accustomed  way,  transacted  its  business  by  day, 
and  slept  peacefully  at  night.  Upon  the  shoulders  of  the  Chief  Execu- 
tive rested  the  gravest  of  all  responsibilities,  and  the  nation  trusted  to 
him  to  carry  it  safely.  Hash  and  impetuous  demands  for  hasty  and 
hostile  action  were  heard.  Congressmen,  under  the  pressure  of  their 
constituents,  filled  the  air  with  cries  for  speedy  action,  but  amid  nil  the 
tumult  the  President  stood  serene.  He  realized,  what  the  country, 
strangely  enough,  had  not  comprehended,  that  we  were  drifting  into  a 
conflict  with  a  nation  that,  was  on  a  war  footing.  He  knew  that  we 
were  totally  unprepared  for  war.  Munitions,  ships,  stores,  supplies,  of 
vast  amount  and  infinite  variety,  were  absolutely  required  before  a 
step  could  be  taken.  Harbor  defenses,  a  closer  connection  between  ex- 
posed points,  and  the  installation  of  modern  armaments — a  thousand 
things  had  to  be  done,  and  done  at  once.  Modern  guns  required  supplies 
of  modern  ammunition,  of  which  there  was  scarcely  any  to  be  obtained 
on  this  side  of  the  water.  This  was  the  situation,  as  the  President,  the 
heads  of  the  army  and  the  navy,  and  the  Cabinet  saw  it,  and  it  was  left 
discreetly  undisclosed  to  the  world. 


PATIENCE   AT  THE  VANISHING  POINT.  319 

They  understood  the  necessity  of  delay  as  well  as  the  necessity  for 
statesmanship  of  the  highest  quality  in  dealing  with  the  Cuban  question. 
We  lost  nothing  by  their  delay.  We  gained  untold  advantages  by  their 
prudence,  a  prudence  that  never  forsook  them,  even  when  the  prepara- 
tions for  war  were  completed.  The  message  to  Congress  was  a  calm, 
dispassionate,  judicial  presentation  of  the  case,  and  upon  that  presenta- 
tion of  facts  and  of  evidence  we  went  before  the  jury  of  the  nations  of  the 
world.  There  could  be  but  one  verdict  rendered  that  the  American 
people  could  accept,  and  that  verdict,  whether  it  came  by  peace  or-war, 
was,  in  the  language  of  the  President's  message,  that  "the  war  in  Cuba 
must  stop!" 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 
EVENTS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  CONGRESS. 

Cuba's  Friends  in  Congress — Senator  Proctor's  Address  to  His  Colleagues — 
A  Notable  Exhibition  of  Patriotism — An  Appropriation  for  the  Na- 
tional Defense — Relief  for  the  Survivors  and  Victims  of  the  Maine — 
The  Recognition  of  Cuban  Independence. 

From  the  date  of  the  first  attempt  of  the  people  of  Cuba  to  secure 
their  independence  from  Spain,  they  have  had  advocates  in  the  Ameri- 
can Congress  who  have  worked  with  voice  and  vote  in  their  behalf. 
After  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  in  1895  these  champions 
gradually  increased  in  numbers  and  influence,  until  at  the  time  of  Mr. 
McKinley's  inauguration  they  included  in  their  ranks  many  of  the  lead- 
ers in  both  houses. 

In  February,  1898,  several  Senators  and  Representatives  went  to 
Cuba  for  the  purpose  of  studying  the  conditions  on  the  island,  and  to 
gain  a  personal  knowledge  of  the  results  of  Spain's  policy  of  rule  or  ruin. 

Senator  Proctor  was  one  of  this  committee,  and  after  their  return  to 
the  United  States,  in  a  speech  to  his  colleagues,  he  made  the  strongest 
argument  in  favor  of  intervention  in  behalf  of  Cuba  that  was  ever  made 
in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  He  had  carefully  prepared  his 
address,  and  he  delivered  it  as  an  official  report  of  what  he  had  observed 
on  the  island.  He  gave  no  opinion  of  wrhat  action  should  be  taken  by  the 
government.  He  said  the  settlement  "may  well  be  left  to  an  American 
President  and  the  American  people."  But  while  he  did  not  make  a 
recommendation  in  so  many* words,  he  left  the  impression  with  all  who 
heard  him  that  he  favored  a  declaration  by  our  government  of  the  in- 
dependence of  Cuba.  He  declared  that  he  was  opposed  to  annexation, 
and,  while  many  Cubans  advocated  the  establishment  of  a  protectorate 
by  the  United  States,  he  could  not  make  up  his  mind  that  this  would  be 
the  best  way  out  of  the  difficulty.  He  told  his  associates  that  he  believed 
the  Cubans  capable  of  governing  themselves,  and  reinforced  this  state- 
ment by  the  assertion  that  the  Cuban  population  would  never  be  sat- 
isfied with  any  government  under  Spanish  rule.  The  senator's  remark- 
able speech  undoubtedly  had  a  powerful  effect,  both  in  influencing  con- 


EVENTS  IN  THE  AMERICAN  CONGRESS.  321 

gressional  action,  and  in  swaying  public  opinion.  As  an  able  and  re- 
sponsible member  of  Congress  and  an  ex-secretary  of  war,  his  words 
would  carry  weight  under  any  circumstances,  but  apart  from  these  con- 
siderations, the  speech  was  notable  because  of  its  evident  fidelity  to 
facts,  and  its  restraint  from  everything  resembling  sensationalism. 

A  Notable  Exhibition  of  Patriotism. 

There  was  never  a  more  notable  exhibiton  of  harmony  and  patriotism 
in  any  legislative  body  in  the  world  than  occurred  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives when  Congressman  Cannon  presented  a  bill  appropriating 
150,000,000  for  the  national  defense  and  placing  this  amount  in  Presi- 
dent McKinley's  hands,  to  be  expended  at  his  discretion. 

Party  lines  were  swept  away,  and  with  a  unanimous  voice  Congress 
voted  its  confidence  in  the  administration.  Many  members  who  were 
paired  with  absent  colleagues  took  the  responsibility  of  breaking  their 
pairs,  an  unprecedented  thing  in  legislative  annals,  in  order  that  they 
might  go  on  record  in  support  of  this  vast  appropriation  to  maintain 
the  dignity  and  honor  of  their  country.  Speaker  Reed,  who  as  the  pre- 
siding officer,  seldom  voted,  except  in  case  of  a  tie,  had  his  name  called 
and  voted  in  his  capacity  as  representative.  The  scene  of  enthusiasm 
which  greeted  the  announcement  of  the  vote — yeas,  311;  nays,  none — has 
seldom  been  paralleled  in  the  House.  The  bill  passed  the  Senate  with- 
out a  dissenting  vote,  and,  on  March  9,  the  President  signed  the  measure, 
thus  making  it  a  law. 

Relief  for  the  Survivors  of  the  Maine. 

On  March  21,  the  House  unanimously  passed  the  bill  for  the  relief 
of  the  survivors  and  victims  of  the  Maine  disaster.  The  bill  reimbursed 
the  surviving  officers  and  men  for  the  losses  they  sustained  to  an  amount 
not  to  exceed  a  year's  sea  pay,  and  directed  the  payment  of  a  sum  equal 
to  a  year's  pay  to  the  legal  heirs  of  those  who  perished. 

When  the  President  sent  to  Congress  the  report  of  the  Naval  Board 
of  Examiners  the  feeling  of  that  body  at  once  found  open  expression  in 
resolutions  proposing  a  declaration  of  war,  recognition  of  the  indepen- 
dence of  Cuba,  armed  intervention,  and  other  decisive  and  warlike  steps 
against  Spain.  Every  group  of  senators  talked  of  Cuba.  Constant  and 
continual  conferences  were  held,  and  all  recognized  the  seriousness  of 
the  occasion.  On  the  House  side  it  was  apparent  that  the  majority 


M*  EVENTS  IN  THE  AMERICAN   CONGRESS. 

could  no  longer  be  controlled  by  what  was  known  as  the  conservative 
element,  led  by  the  speaker.  Groups  of  members  in  a  state  of  excitement 
were  to  be  seen  on  every  hand.  It  was  generally  acknowledged  that  a 
serious  condition  had  arisen,  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand. 

On  April  11  the  long  expected  message  was  received.  In  it  the 
President  asked  Congress  to  authorize  him  to  take  measures  to  secure 
a  termination  of  hostilities  in  Cuba,  and  to  secure  in  the  island  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  stable  form  of  government,  and  to  use  the;  military  and 
naval  forces  of  the  United  States  as  might  be  necessary.  The  message 
was  received  in  silence.  The  most  notable  criticism  made  was  the  entire 
absence  of  any  reference  to  Cuban  independence.  The  admission  in  the 
message  that  the  President  had  proposed  an  armistice  to  Spain  until 
October  provoked  vigorous  comment.  Bat  conservative  members  were 
highly  pleased  with  the  position  taken  by  the  President,  and  many  still 
hoped  that  war  might  be  prevented. 

However,  this  did  not  prevent  the  purchase  of  a  number  of  armed 
cruisers  from  foreign  powers,  which  were  transferred  to  the  United 
States  flag.  The  ships  of  several  passenger  and  mail  lines  were  also 
purchased,  or  leased  as  auxiliary  cruisers,  and  were  at  once  remanned 
and  put  in  commission.  The  most  notable  examples  were  the  two  Amer- 
ican built  ships,  St.  Paul  and  St.  Louis  of  the  American  line.  The  new 
purchases  were  fitted  for  their  new  uses  at  once,  and  the  preparations 
for  war  went  on  without  delay. 

Congress,  taking  its  cue  from  the  President,  united  upon  the  follow- 
ing resolutions,  which  were  signed  by  the  President  on  April  20: 

Joint  resolutions  for  the  recognition  of  the  independence  of  the  people  of 
Cuba  demanding  that  the  government  of  Spain  relinquish  its  authority  and 
government  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  and  to  withdraw  its  land  and  naval  forces 
from  Cuba  and  Cuban  waters,  and  directing  the  President  of  the  United  States 
to  use  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  to  carry  these  resolutions 
into  effect. 

Whereas,  The  abhorrent  conditions  which  have  existed  for  more  than 
three  years  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  so  near  our  own  borders,  have  shocked  the 
moral  sense  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  have  been  a  disgrace  to  Chris- 
tian civilization,  culminating,  as  they  have,  in  the  destruction  of  a  United 
States  battleship,  with  260  of  its  officers  and  crew,  while  on  a  friendly  visit 
in  the  harbor  of  Havana,  and  cannot  longer  be  endured,  as  has  been  set  forth 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  his  message  to  Congress  of  April  11. 
1898,  upon  which  the  action  of  Congress  was  invited;  therefore,  be  it  resolved: 


EVENTS  IK  THE  AMERICAN  CONGRESS.  323 

First — That  the  people  of  the  island  of  Cuba  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be, 
free  and  independent. 

Second — That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  United  States  to  demand,  and  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  does  hereby  demand,  that  the  government  of 
Spain  at  once  relinquish  its  authority  and  government  in  the  island  of  Cuba 
and  Cuban  waters. 

Third — That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  hereby  is,  directed 
and  empowered  to  use  the  entire  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  call  into  the  actual  service  of  the  United  States  the  militia  of  the  sev- 
eral States  to  such  an  extent  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  these  resolutions 
into  effect. 

Fourth — That  the  United  States  hereby  disclaims  any  disposition  or  in- 
tention to  exercise  sovereignty,  jurisdiction  or  control  over  said  island,  except 
for  the  pacification  thereof,  and  asserts  its  determination  when  that  is  accom- 
plished to  leave  the  government  and  control  of  the  island  to  its  people. 

The  Spanish  government  was  deluded  by  the  belief  that  in  the  event 
of  war  our  country  would  not  be  able  to  present  a  united  front,  and 
tha.t  sectional  animosities  would  wreaken  our  strength.  The  action  of 
Congress  from  the  time  of  the  first  rumors  of  war  to  the  end  of  the 
session  showed  how  little  ground  there  was  for  this  belief.  The  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people  from  all  sections  of  our  broad  land  gave  Presi- 
dent McKinley  loyal  support  in  every  undertaking,  and  the  South 
vied  with  the  North,  the  East  with  the  West,  in  expressions  of  devotion 
to  our  nation  and  our  flag. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 
PRESIDENT   McKINLEY   ACTS. 

The  Message  to  Congress — Loss  of  American  Trade — Terrible  Increase  in  the 
Death  Rate — American  Aid  for  the  Starving — The  President's  Proposi- 
tion to  Spain — Grounds  for  Intervention — The  Destruction  of  the 
Maine — The  Addenda. 

With  the  press  and  public  of  the  entire  country  at  a  fever  heat  of 
indignation,  and  the  evident  determination  on  the  part  of  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  members  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  bring  mat- 
ters to  a  crisis,  it  was  evident  to  all  that  the  time  for  action  had  arrived. 

The  President  yielded  to  the  popular  demand,  and  on  April  11  he 
sent  to  Congress  the  following  message: 

To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States: 

Obedient  to  that  precept  of  the  Constitution  which  commands  the  Presi- 
dent to  give  from  time  to  time  to  the  Congress  information  of  the  state  of  the 
Union,  and  to  recommend  to  their  consideration  such  measures  as  he  shall 
judge  necessary  and  expedient,  it  becomes  my  duty  now  to  address  your  body 
with  regard  to  the  grave  crisis  that  has  arisen  in  the  relations  of  the  United 
States  to  Spain  by  reason  of  the  warfare  that  for  more  than  three  years  has 
raged  in  the  neighboring  island  of  Cuba.  I  do  so  because  of  the  intimate  con- 
nection of  the  Cuban  question  with  the  state  of  our  own  Union,  and  the  grave 
relation  the  course  of  which  it  is  now  incumbent  upon  the  nation  to  adopt, 
must  needs  bear  to  the  traditional  policy  of  our  Government  if  it  is  to  accord 
with  the  precepts  laid  down  by  the  founders  of  the  Republic  and  religiously 
observed  by  succeeding  administrations  to  the  present  day. 

The  present  revolution  is  but  the  successor  of  other  similar  insurrections 
which  have  occurred  in  Cuba  against  the  dominion  of  Spain,  extending  over 
a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century,  each  of  which  during  its  progress  has  sub- 
jected the  United  States  to  great  effort  and  expense  in  enforcing  its  neutrality 
laws,  caused  enormous  losses  to  American  trade  and  commerce,  caused  irri- 
tation, annoyance  and  disturbance  among  our  citizens,  and  by  the  exercise  of 
croel,  barbarous  and  uncivilized  practices  of  warfare,  shocked  the  sensibili- 
ties and  offended  the  humane  sympathies  of  our  people. 

Since  the  present  revolution  began,  in  February,  1895,  this  country  has 
seen  the  fertile  domain  at  our  threshold  ravaged  by  fire  and  sword  in  the 

32  4, 


PRESIDENT   McKINLEY  ACTS.  325 

course  of  a  struggle  unequaled  in  the  history  of  the  island,  and  rarely  par- 
alleled as  to  the  number  of  the  combatants  and  the  bitterness  of  the  contest 
by  any  revolution  of  modern  times,  where  a  dependent  people  striving  to  be 
free  have  been  oppressed  by  the  power  of  the  sovereign  State.  Our  people  have 
beheld  a  once  prosperous  community  reduced  to  comparative  want,  its  lucra- 
tive commerce  virtually  paralyzed,  its  exceptional  productiveness  diminished, 
its  fields  laid  waste,  its  mills  in  ruins,  and  its  people  perishing  by  tens  of  thou- 
sands from  hunger  and  destitution.  We  have  found  ourselves  constrained 
in  the  observance  of  that  strict  neutrality  which  our  laws  enjoin,  and  which 
the  law  of  nations  commands,  to  police  our  waters  and  watch  our  own  sea- 
ports in  prevention  of  any  unlawful  act  in  aid  of  the  Cubans. 

Loss  of  American  Trade. 

Our  trade  has  suffered,  the  capital  invested  by  our  citizens  in  Cuba  has 
been  largely  lost,  and  the  temper  and  forbearance  of  our  people  have  been  so 
seriously  tried  as  to  beget  a  perilous  unrest  among  our 'own  citizens,  which 
has  inevitably  found  its  expression  from  time  to  time  in  the  National  Legis- 
lature, so  that  issues  wholly  external  to  our  own  body  politic  stand  in  the 
way  of  that  close  devotion  to  domestic  advancement  that  becomes  a  self-con- 
tained commonwealth,  whose  primal  maxim  has  been  the  avoidance  of  all 
foreign  entanglements.  All  this  must  needs  awaken,  and  has  indeed  aroused, 
the  utmost  concern  on  the  part  of  this  government,  as  well  during  my  prede- 
cessor's term  as  in  my  own. 

In  April,  1896,  the  evils  from  which  our  country  suffered  through  the 
Cuban  war  became  so  onerous  that  my  predecessor  made  an  effort  to  bring 
about  a  peace  through  the  mediation  of  this  government  in  any  way  that 
might  tend  to  an  honorable  adjustment  of  the  contest  between  Spain  and  her 
revolted  colony,  on  the  basis  of  some  effective  scheme  of  self-government  for 
Cuba  under  the  flag  and  sovereignty  of  Spain.  It  failed,  through  the  refusal 
of  the  Spanish  Government  then  in  power  to  consider  any  form  of  mediation, 
or,  indeed,  any  plan  of  settlement  which  did  not  begin  with  the  actual  sub- 
misision  of  the  insurgents  to  the  mother  country,  and  then  only  on  such  terms 
as  Spain  herself  might  see  fit  to  grant.  The  war  continued  unabated.  The 
resistance  of  the  insurgents  was  in  no  wise  diminished. 

The  efforts  of  Spain  were  increased,  both  by  the  despatch  of  fresh  levies 
to  Cuba  and  by  the  addition  to  the  horrors  of  the  strife  of  a  new  and  inhuman 
phase,  happily  unprecedented  in  the  modern  history  of  civilized  Christian 
peoples.  The  policy  of  devastation  and  concentration  by  the  Captain-Gen- 
eral's bando  of  October,  1896,  in  the  province  of  Pinar'del  Kio  was  thence  ex* 
tended  to  embrace  all  of  the  island  to  which  the  power  of  the  Spanish  arms 
was  able  to  reach  by  occupation  or  by  military  operations.  The  peasantry; 
including  all  dwelling  in  the  open  agricultural  interior,  were  driven  into  the 


PRESIDENT  MCKINLEY  ACTS. 

garrison  towns  or  isolated  places  held  by  the  troops.  The  raising  and  moving 
of  provisions  of  all  kinds  were  interdicted.  The  fields  were  laid  waste,  dwell- 
ings unroofed  and  fired,  mills  destroyed,  and,  in  short,  everything  that  could 
desolate  the  land  and  render  it  unfit  for  human  habitation  or  support  was 
commanded  by  one  or  the  other  of  the  contending  parties  and  executed  by  all 
the  powers  at  their  disposal. 

By  the  time  the  present  administration  took  office  a  year  ago,  reconcen- 
tration — so-called — had  been  made  effective  over  the  better  part  of  the  four 
central  and  western  provinces,  Santa  Clara,  Matanzas,  Havana  and  Piiiar  del 
Rio.  The  agricultural  population,  to  the  estimated  number  of  300,000,  or 
more,  was  herded  within  the  towns  and  their  immediate  vicinage,  deprived  of 
the  means  of  support,  rendered  destitute  of  shelter,  left  poorly  clad,  and  ex- 
posed to  the  most  unsanitary  conditions.  As  the  scarcity  of  food  increased 
with  the  devastation  of  the  depopulated  areas  of  production,  destitution  and 
want  became  misery  and  starvation. 

Terrible  Increase  in  the  Death  Rate. 

Month  by  month  the  death  rate  increased  in  an  alarming  ratio.  By  March, 
1897,  according  to  conservative  estimate  from  official  Spanish  sources,  the 
mortality  among  the  reconcentrados,  from  starvation  and  the  diseases  thereto 
incident,  exceeded  50  per  centum  of  their  total  number.  No  practical  relief 
was  accorded  to  the  destitute.  The  overburdened  towns,  already  suffering 
from  the  general  dearth,  could  give  no  aid. 

In  this  state  of  affairs  my  administration  found  itself  confronted  with 
the  grave  problem  of  its  duty.  My  message  of  last  December  reviewed  the 
situation,  and  narrated  the  steps  taken  with  a  view  to  relieving  its  acuteness 
and  opening  the  way  to  some  form  of  honorable  settlement.  The  assassina- 
tion of  the  Prime  Minister,  Canovas,  led  to  a  change  of  government  in  Spain. 
The  former  administration,  pledged  to  subjugation  without  concession,  gave 
place  to  that  of  a  more  liberal  party,  committed  long  in  advance  to  a  policy  of 
reform  involving  the  wider  principle  of  home  rule  for  Cuba  and  Puerto  Rico. 

The  overtures  of  this  government  made  through  its  new  Envoy,  General 
Woodford,  and  looking  to  an  immediate  and  effective  amelioration  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  island,  although  not  accepted  to  the  extent  of  admitted  media- 
tion in  any  shape,  were  met  by  assurances  that  home  rule,  in  an  advanced 
phase,  would  be  forthwith  offered  to  Cuba,  without  waiting  for  the  war  to  end, 
and  that  more  humane  methods  should  henceforth  prevail  in  the  conduct  of 
hostilities. 

American   Aid  for  the  Starving. 

While  these  negotiations  were  in  progress,  the  increasing  destitution  of 
the  unfortunate  reconcentrados  and  the  alarming  mortality  among  them 


PRESIDENT  McKlNLEY   ACTS. 

claimed  earnest  attention.  The  success  which  had  attended  the  limited  meas- 
ure of  relief  extended  to  the  suffering  American  citizens  among  them  by  the 
judicious  expenditure  through  the  Consular  agencies  of  the  money  appro- 
priated expressly  for  their  succor  by  the  joint  resolution  approved  May  24, 
1897,  prompted  the  humane  extension  of  a  similar  scheme  of  aid  to  the  great 
body  of  sufferers.  A  suggestion  to  this  end  was  acquiesced  in  by  the  Spanish 
authorities.  On  the  24th  of  December  last  I  caused  to  be  issued  an  appeal  to 
the  American  people  inviting  contributions  in  money  or  in  kind  for  the  suc- 
cor of  the  starving  sufferers  in  Cuba,  followed  this  on  the  8th  of  January  by 
a  similar  public  announcement  of  the  formation  of  a  Central  Cuban  Relief 
Committee,  with  headquarters  in  New  York  city,  composed  of  three  members 
representing  the  National  Red  Cross  and  the  religious  and  business  elements 
of  the  community. 

Coincidentally  with  these  declarations,  the  new  Government  of  Spain  con- 
tinued to  complete  the  policy  already  begun  by  its  predecessor  of  testifying 
friendly  regard  for  this  nation  by  releasing  American  citizens  held  under  one 
charge  or  another  connected  with  the  insurrection,  so  that,  by  the  end  of  No- 
vember, not  a  single  person  entitled  in  any  way  to  our  national  protection 
remained  in  a  Spanish  prison. 

The  war  in  Cuba  is  of  such  a  nature  that  short  of  subjugation  or  extermi- 
nation a  final  military  victory  for  either  side  seems  impracticable.  The  alter- 
native lies  in  the  physical  exhaustion  of  the  one  or  the  other  party,  or  perhaps 
of  both — a  condition  which  in  effect  ended  the  Ten  Years'  War  by  the  truce  of 
Zanjon.  The  prospect  of  such  a  protraction  and  conclusion  of  the  present 
strife  is  a  contingency  hardly  to  be  contemplated  with  equanimity  by  the  civ- 
ilized world,  and  least  of  all  by  the  United  States,  affected  and  injured  as  we 
are,  deeply  and  intimately  by  its  very  existence. 

Realizing  this,  it  appeared  to  be  my  duty  in  a  spirit  of  true  friendliness, 
no  less  to  Spain  than  to  the  Cubans  who  have  so  much  to  lose  by  the  prolon- 
gation of  the  struggle,  to  seek  to  bring  about  an  immediate  termination  of  the 
war.  To  this  end  I  submitted  on  the  27th  ultimo,  as  a  result  of  much  represen- 
tation and  correspondence  through  the  United  States  Minister  at  Madrid, 
propositions  to  the  Spanish  Government  looking  to  an  armistice  until  October 
1,  for  the  negotiation  of  peace  with  the  good  offices  of  the  President. 

The  President's  Proposition  to  Spain. 

In  addition  I  asked  the  immediate  revocation  of  the  order  of  reconcen- 
tration  so  as  to  permit  the  people  to  return  to  their  farms  and  the  needy  to 
be  relieved  wTith  provisions  and  supplies  from  the  United  States,  co-operating 
with  the  Spanish  authorities  so  as  to  afford  full  relief. 

The  reply  of  the  Spanish  Cabinet  was  received  on  the  night  of  the  31st 
ultimo.  It  offers  as  the  means  to  bring  about  peace  in  Cuba,  to  confide  the 


32S  PRESIDENT   McKINLEY   ACTS. 

preparation  thereof  to  the  Insular  Parliament,  inasmuch  as  the  concurrence 
of  that  body  would  be  necesisary  to  reach  a  final  result,  it  being,  however,  un- 
derstood that  the  powers  reserved  by  the  Constitution  to  the  central  govern- 
ment are  not  lessened  or  diminished.  As  the  Cuban  Parliament  does  not  meet 
until  the  4th  of  May  next,  the  Spanish  Government  would  not  object,  for  its 
part,  to  accept  at  once  a  suspension  of  hostilities  if  asked  for  by  the  insurgents 
from  the  General-in-Chief,  to  whom  it  would  pertain  in  such  a  case  to  deter- 
mine the  duration  and  conditions  of  the  armistice. 

The  propositions  submitted  by  General  Woodford  and  the  reply  of  the 
Spanish  Government  were  both  in  the  form  of  brief  memoranda,  the  texts  of 
which  are  before  me,  and  are  substantially  in  the  language  above  given. 

There  remain  the  alternative  forms  of  intervention  to  end  the  war,  either 
as  an  impartial  neutral  by  imposing  a  rational  compromise  between  the  con- 
testants, or  as  the  active  ally  of  one  party  or  the  other. 

As  to  the  first,  it  is  not  to  be  forgotten  that  during  the  last  few  months 
the  relation  of  the  United  States  has  virtually  been  one  of  friendly  interven- 
tion in  many  ways,  each  not  of  itself  conclusive,  but  all  tending  to  the  exertion 
of  a  potential  influence  toward  an  ultimate  pacific  result  just  and  honorable  to 
all  interests  concerned.  The  spirit  of  all  our  acts  hitherto  has  been  an  ear- 
nest, unselfish  desire  for  peace  and  prosperity  in  Cuba,  untarnished  by  differ- 
ences between  us  and  Spain  and  unstained  by  the  blood  of  American  citizens. 

The  forcible  intervention  of  the  United  States  as  a  neutral,  to  stop  the 
war,  according  to  the  large  dictates  of  humanity  and  following  many  historical 
precedents  where  neighboring  States  have  interfered  to  check  the  hopeless 
sacrifices  of  life  by  internecine  conflicts  beyond  their  borders,  is  justifiable  on 
rational  grounds.  It  involves,  however,  hostile  constraint  upon  both  the  par- 
ties to  the  contest,  as  well  to  enforce  a  truce  as  to  guide  the  eventual  settle- 
ment. 

Grounds  for  Intervention. 

The  grounds  for  such  intervention  may  be  briefly  summarized  as  follows: 

First.  In  the  cause  of  humanity  and  to  put  an  end  to  the  barbarities, 
bloodshed,  starvation  and  horrible  miseries  now  existing  there,  and  which 
the  parties  to  the  conflict  are  either  unable  to  or  unwilling  to  stop  or  mitigate. 
It  is  no  answrer  to  say  this  is  all  in  another  country,  belonging  to  another 
nation,  and  is  therefore  none  of  our  business.  It  is  specially  our  duty,  for  it 
is  right  at  our  door. 

Second.  We  owe  it  to  our  citizens  in  Cuba  to  afford  them  that  protection 
and  indemnity  for  life  and  property  which  no  government  there  can  or  will 
afford,  and  to  that  end  to  terminate  the  conditions  that  deprive  them  of  legal 
protection. 

Third.     The  right  to  intervene  may  be  justified  by  the  very  serious  injury 


PRESIDENT   McKINLEY   ACTS,  329 

to  the  commerce,  trade  and  business  of  our  people,  and  by  the  wanton  destruc- 
tion of  property  and  devastation  of  the  island. 

Fourth.  Aid  which  is  of  the  utmost  importance.  The  present  condition 
of  affairs  in  Cuba  is  a  constant  menace  to  our  peace  and  entails  upon  this 
Government  an  enormous  expense.  With  such  a  conflict  waged  for  years  in  an 
island  so  near  us,  and  with  which  our  people  have  such  trade  and  business 
relations;  when  the  lives  and  liberty  of  our  citizens  are  in  constant  danger  and 
their  property  destroyed  and  themselves  ruined;  where  our  trading  vessels 
are  liable  to  seizure  and  are  seized  at  our  very  door  by  warships  of  a  foreign 
nation,  the  expeditions  of  filibustering  that  we  are,  powerless  altogether  to 
prevent,  and  the  irritating  questions  and  entanglements  thus  arising — all 
these  and  others  that  I  need  not  mention,  with  the  resulting  strained  rela- 
tions, are  a  constant  menace  to  our  peace  and  compel  us  to  keep  on  a  semi-war 
footing  with  a  nation  with  which  we  are  at  peace. 

The  Destruction  of  the  Maine. 

These  elements  of  danger  and  disorder  already  pointed  out  have  been 
strikingly  illustrated  by  a  tragic  event  which  has  deeply  and  justly  moved  the 
American  people.  I  have  already  transmitted  to  Congress  the  report  of  the 
Naval  Court  of  Inquiry  on  the  destruction  of  the  battleship  Maine  in  the  har- 
bor of  Havana  during  the  night  of  the  15th  of  February.  The  destruction  of 
that  noble  vessel  has  filled  the  national  heart  with  inexpressible  horror.  Two 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  brave  sailors  and  marines  and  two  officers  of  our  navy, 
reposing  in  the  fancied  security  of  a  friendly  harbor,  have  been  hurled  to 
death,  grief  and  want  brought  to  their  homes  and  sorrow  to  the  nation. 

The  Naval  Court  of  Inquiry,  which,  it  is  needless  to  say,  commands  the 
unqualified  confidence  of  the  Government,  was  unanimous  in  its  conclusions 
that  the  destruction  of  the  Maine  was  caused  by  an  exterior  explosion — that 
of  a  submarine  mine.  It  did  not  assume  to  place  the  responsibility.  That 
remains  to  be  fixed. 

In  any  event  the  destruction  of  the  Maine,  by  whatever  exterior  cause, 
is  a  patent  and  impressive  proof  of  a  state  of  things  in  Cuba  that  is  intolerable. 
That  condition  is  thus  shown  to  be  such  that  the  Spanish  Government  cannot 
assure  safety  and  security  to  a  vessel  of  the  American  navy  in  the  harbor  of 
Havana  on  a  mission  of  peace  and  rightfully  there. 

Further  referring  in  this  connection  to  recent  diplomatic  correspondence, 
a  despatch  from  our  Minister  to  Spain,  of  the  26th  ultimo,  contained  the  state- 
ment that  the  Spanish  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  assured  him  positively 
that  Spain  would  do  all  that  the  highest  honor  and  justice  required  in  the 
matter  of  the  Maine.  The  reply  above  referred  to  of  the  31st  ultimo  also  con- 
tained an  expression  of  the  readiness  of  Spain  to  submit  to  an  arbitration 
all  the  differences  which  can  arise  in  this  matter,  which  is  subsequently  ex- 


330  PRESIDENT    McKlNLEY   ACTS. 

plained  by  the  note  of  the  Spanish  Minister  at  Washington  of  the  10th  instant 
as  follows: 

As  to  the  question  of  fact  which  springs  from  the  diversity  of  views  be- 
tween the  report  of  the  American  and  Spanish  boards,  Spain  proposes  that  the 
fact  be  ascertained  by  an  impartial  investigation  by  experts,  whose  decision 
Spain  accepts  in  advance.  To  this  I  have  made  no  reply. 

In  view  of  these  facts  and  Uiese  considerations,  I  ask  the  Congress  to 
authorize  and  empower  the  President  to  take  measures  to  secure  a  full  and 
final  termination  of  hostilities  between  the  Government  of  Spain  and  the  peo- 
ple of  Cuba,  and  to  secure  in  the  island  the  establishment  of  a  stable  govern- 
ment capable  of  maintaining  order  and  observing  its  international  obliga- 
tions, insuring  peace  and  tranquillity  and  the  security  of  its  citizens  as  well  as 
our  own,  and  to  use  the  military  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  as  may 
be  necessary  for  these  purposes. 

And  in  the  interest  of  humanity  and  to  aid  in  preserving  the  lives  of  the 
starving  people  of  the  island,  I  recommend  that  the  distribution  of  food  and 
supplies  be  continued,  and  that  an  appropriation  be  made  out  of  the  public 
treasury  to  supplement  the  charity  of  our  citizens.  The  issue  is  now  with  Con- 
gress. It  is  a  solemn  responsibility.  I  have  exhausted  every  effort  to  relieve 
the  intolerable  condition  of  affairs  which  is  at  our  doors. 

Prepared  to  execute  every  obligation  imposed  upon  me  by  the  Constitu- 
tion and  the  law,  I  await  your  action. 

The  Addenda. 

Yesterday,  and  since  the  preparation  of  the  foregoing  message,  official  in- 
formation was  received  by  me  that  the  latest  decree  of  the  Queen  Regent  of 
Spain  directs  General  Blanco  in  order  to  prepare  and  facilitate  peace,  to  pro- 
claim a  suspension  of  hostilities,  the  duration  and  details  of  which  have  not 
yet  been  communicated  to  me.  This  fact,  with  every  other  pertinent  considera- 
tion, will,  I  am  sure,  have  your  just  and  careful  attention  in  the  solemn  de- 
liberations upon  which  you  are  about  to  enter.  If  this  measure  attains  a  suc- 
cessful result,  then  our  aspirations  as  a  Christian,  peace-loving  people  will 
be  realized.  If  it  fails,  it  will  be  only  another  justification  for  our  contem- 
plated action. 

(Signed,)  WILLIAM  McKINLEY. 

Executive  Mansion,  April  11,  1898. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

STRENGTH    OF    THE    OPPOSING    SQUADRONS   AND   ARMIES. 

Growth  of  the  White  Squadron  in  a  Single  Decade — Progress  of  Our  Navy  a 
Gratifying  One  after  It  Was  Fairly  Started — How  the  United  States 
Stands  in  Comparison  with  the  Other  Nations  of  the  World — List  of 
Ships  in  the  American  Navy — List  of  Ships  in  the  Navy  of  Spain  at 
the  Beginning  of  the  War — Interest  of  All  Countries  Centered  on  the 
Result  of  Our  Naval  Battles — Modern  Guns  and  Projectiles — The 
Armies  of  the  Two  Combatants — Coast  Defenses  of  the  United  States. 

Three  elements  enter  into  the  fighting  efficiency  of  nations  at  war: 
the  strength  of  their  navies,  the  strength  of  their  armies  and  the  con- 
dition of  their  coast  defences.  For  the  first  time  in  many  years  gen- 
eral attention  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  was  centered  upon 
these  conditions  when  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  began  to  threaten. 
Inasmuch  as  it  was  an  admitted  fact  that  most  of  the  fighting  would 
be  done  at  sea,  or  at  least  that  the  efficiency  of  our  fleets  would  be  the 
most  important  factor,  most  of  the  attention  was  directed  to  a  study 
of  the  navy. 

The  constructions  of  what  we  call  the  new  navy  of  the  United  States, 
"the  white  squadron,"  which  has  placed  us  sixth  in  the  rank  of  the 
naval  powers  of  the  world,  instead  of  so  far  down  that  we  were  scarcely 
to  be  counted  at  all,  has  all  been  done  in  less  than  twelve  years.  It 
may  be  that  to  stand  sixth  in  rank  is  not  yet  high  enough,  but  the 
progress  of  a  single  decade  certainly  is  remarkable. 

After  the  Civil  War,  when  hostilities  on  our  own  coast  and  com- 
plications abroad  seemed  to  be  at  an  end,  the  care  of  the  navy  was 
abandoned  and  ships  were  sold  with  scarcely  a  protest,  almost  as  en- 
tirely as  had  been  done  eighty  years  before,  at  the  end  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. There  was  even  less  reason  for  this  policy,  because  in  1785  the 
country  was  poor  and  needed  the  money  the  ships  brought,  while  in 
the  twenty  years  following  the  Civil  War  there  was  no  such  excuse  of 
national  poverty.  By  1885  there  was  no  United  States  navy  at  all 
worthy  the  name,  for  the  wooden  vessels  on  the  list,  with  their  obso- 
lete guns,  were  of  no  value  whatever  in  the  event  of  hostilities  with  a 

331 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 

foreign  power  that  had  kept  up  its  equipment  with  rifled  guns  and 
ironclads. 

The  movement  to  repair  the  decay  began  when,  in  1881,  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  William  H.  Hunt  appointed  the  first  advisory  board,  pre- 
sided over  by  Rear- Admiral  John  Rodgers,  "to  determine  the  require- 
ments of  a  new  navy."  This  board  reported  that  the  United  States 
should  have  twenty-one  battleships,  seventy  unarmored  cruisers  of 
various  sizes  and  types,  twenty  torpedo  boats,  five  rams  and  five  tor- 
pedo gunboats,  all  to  be  built  of  steel.  The  report  was  received  by 
Congress  and  the  country  with  the  attention  it  merited,  but  to  get  the 
work  started  was  another  matter. 


Policy  of  the  Economists. 

The  economists  had  been  praising  the  policy  of  idleness  in  naval 
construction,  claiming  first  that  we  were  at  peace  and  did  not  need 
to  spend  money  on  expensive  vessels  and,  next,  that  naval  construc- 
tion was  in  an  experimental  stage  and  that  we  should  let  the  Euro- 
pean nations  go  to  the  expense  of  the  experiments,  as  they  were  doing, 
and  when  some  result  had  been  reached,  take  advantage  of  it,  instead 
of  wasting  our  owrn  money  in  work  that  would  have  to  be  thrown 
awa}T  in  a  few  years. 

When  the  country  became  convinced  that  a  navy  was  needed,  it 
was  found  that  we  could  not  follow  out  that  pleasant  little  theory. 
Our  naval  authorities  could  not  obtain  the  facts  and  the  experience 
they  wanted  from  other  nations,  and  our  shipyards  could  not  build 
even  one  of  the  armored  ships.  We  could  not  roll  even  the  thinnest 
of  modern  armor-plates,  and  could  not  make  a  gun  that  was  worth 
mounting  on  a  modern  vessel  if  we  had  it. 

The  shipyard  of  John  Roach  did  the  first  work  on  the  new  navy, 
and  during  Secretary  Chandler's  term  of  office  built  the  Chicago,  the 
Boston,  the  Atlanta  and  the  Dolphin.  Instead  of  battleships,  the  first 
of  the  fleet  were  third-rate  cruisers.  Armor-plate  was  bought  in  a 
foreign  market,  and  we  actually  went  abroad  for  the  plans  of  one  our 
largest  cruisers — the  Charleston. 

In  1885  the  navy  department  came  under  the  administration  of 
Secretary  William  C.  Whitney,  and  it  was  beginning  with  his  years  of 
service  that  the  greatest  progress  was  made.  While  our  shipyards 
were  learning  to  build  ships,  the  gunmakers  and  the  makers  of  armor- 


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LOADING  SIEGE  GUNS  ON  TRANSPORTS 

This  picture  shows  the  siege  guns  being  hoisted  on  the  transports.    In  the  distance  are  the  troops 
embarking  ifter  their  long  wait  in  camp. 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES.  335 

plate  were  learning  their  craft  too,  so  that  progress  was  along  paral- 
lel lines.  In  1886  the  sum  of  $2,128,000  was  appropriated  for  modern 
rifled  guns.  The  first  contract  for  armor-plate  was  signed  in  1887. 
Since  that  time  the  plants  for  construction  have  been  completed  and 
armor-plate  equal  to  the  best  in  the  world  turned  out  from  them.  Ten 
years  of  apprenticeship  have  taught  us  how  to  build  whatever  we  need 
to  carry  on  naval  warfare. 

Takes  the  Bank  of  Sixth. 

By  1894  the  United  States  had  risen  to  the  sixth  among  the  naval 
powers  of  the  world,  the  first  ten  and  their  relative  strength  expressed 
in  percentage  of  that  of  Great  Britain  being  as  follows: 

Great  Britain , . . .  100      United  States 17 

France 68      Spain 11 

Italy 48      China 6 

Russia 38      Austria 5 

Germany 21      Turkey 3 

Since  that  time  the  relative  position  of  the  leaders  has  not  mate- 
rially changed,  although  some  estimates  are  to  the  effect  that  Russia 
and  Italy  have  changed  places  and  that  Spain  has  gained  slightly  on 
the  United  States.  Of  the  ones  at  the  foot  of  the  procession  all  have 
dropped  below  the  station  assigned  them,  by  the  advance  of  Japan, 
which  has  come  from  outside  the  file  of  the  first  ten  and  is  now  eighth, 
ranking  between  Spain  and  China.  The  estimates  are  based  on  a  cal- 
culation of  all  the  elements  that  enter  into  the  efficiency  of  the  navies, 
such  as  tonnage,  speed,  armor,  caliber  and  range  of  armament,  num- 
ber of  enlisted  men  and  their  efficiency.  Such  calculations  cannot  be 
absolute,  for  they  cannot  measure  at  all  times  the  accuracy  of  the  gun- 
nery of  a  certain  vessel.  The  human  equation  enters  so  prominently 
into  warfare  that  mathematical  calculations  must  be  at  all  times  in- 
complete. Americans  will  be  slow  to  believe,  however,  that  they  are 
at  any  disadvantage  in  this  detail,  whatever  their  material  equipment 
may  be. 

The  following  table  shows  the  strength  of  the  navy  of  the  United 
States.  In  that  part  of  the  table  marked  "first  rate"  the  four  ships 
placed  first  are  first-class  battle  ships,  the  Brooklyn  and  New  York 
are  armored  cruisers,  the  Columbia,  Olympia  and  Minneapolis  pro- 


336 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


tected  cruisers,  the  Texas  a  second-class  battle  ship  and  the  Puritan 
a  double-turret  monitor.  Among  the  second-raters  all  but  the  Mian- 
tonomah,  Amphitrite,  Monadnock  and  Terror  (monitors)  are  protected 
cruisers.  The  newly  bought  boats,  New  Orleans  and  Albany,  belong 
in  this  class.  The  third-raters  are  a  heterogeneous  lot,  consisting  of 
cruisers,  gunboats,  old  monitors  and  unprotected  cruisers.  Of  the 
fourth  raters,  Vesuvius  is  a  dynamite  ship,  the  Yankee  and  Michigan 
are  cruisers,  the  Petrel,  Bancroft  and  Pinta  are  gunboats  and  the  Fern 
is  a  transport.  The  remaining  classes  of  the  table  are  homogeneous. 
The  government  has  recently  purchased  numerous  tugs  and  yachts 
not  accounted  for  in  the  table: 


.      FIRST  RATE. 

Displace-  Guns  in  Indicated 
NAME.                                              ment  (tons).'    main  battery.      horse  power.            Hull. 

Iowa 11,340  18  12,105  Steel 

Indiana 10,288  16  9,738  Steel 

Massachusetts 10,288  16  10,403  Steel 

Oregon 10,288  16  11,111  Steel 

Brooklyn 9,215  20  18,769  Steel 

New  York 8,200  18  17,401  Steel 

Columbia 7,375  11  18,509  Steel 

Minneapolis 7,375  11  20,862  Steel 

Texas 6,315  8  8,610  Steel 

Puritan 6,060  10  3,700  Iron 

Olympia   ....     5,870  14  17,313  Steel 

SECOND  RATE. 

Chicago 4,500  18  9,000  Steel 

Baltimore 4,413  10  10,064  Steel 

Philadelphia 4,324  12  8,815  Steel 

Monterey 4,084  4  5,244  Steel 

Newark   4,098  12  8,869  Steel 

San  Francisco 4,098  12  9,913  Steel 

Charleston   3,730  8  6,666  Steel 

Miantonomah 3,990  4  1,426  Iron 

Amphitrite 3,990  6  1,600  Iron 

Monadnock  .                                     3,990  6  3,000  Iron 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


337 


Displace- 

Guns in 

Indicated 

NAME. 

ment  (tons) 

.     main  battery. 

horse  power,, 

Terror  

3,990 

4 

1,600 

Lancaster  

3,250 

12 

1,000 

Cincinnati  

3,213 

11 

10,000 

Raleigh  

3,213 

11 

10,000 

Atlanta  

3,000 

8 

4,030 

Boston  

3,000 

8 

4,030 

THIRD 

RATE. 

Hartford  

.  2,790 

13 

2,000 

Katahdin  

2,155 

4 

5,068 

Ajax  

2,100 

2 

340 

Canonicus  

2,100 

2 

340 

Mahopac  

2,100 

2 

340 

Manhattan   

2,100 

2 

340 

Wyandotte  

2,100 

2 

340 

Detroit   

2,089 

10 

5,227 

Montgomery  

2,089 

10 

5,580 

Marblehead  

2,089 

10 

5,451 

Marion  

1,900 

8 

1,100 

Mohican  

1,900 

10 

1,100- 

Comanche    

1,875 

2 

340 

Catskill  

1,875 

2 

340 

Jason  

1,875 

2 

340 

Lehigh  

1,875 

2 

340 

Montauk  

1,875 

2 

340 

Nahant   

1,875 

2 

340 

Nantucket    

1,875 

2 

340 

Passaic  

1,875 

2 

340 

Benningtou   

1,710 

6 

3,436 

Concord  

1,710 

6 

3,405 

Yorktown  

1,710 

6 

3,392 

Dolphin    

1,486 

2 

2,253 

Wilmington  

1,392 

8 

1,894 

Helena  

1,392 

8 

1,988 

Adams  

1,375 

6 

800 

Alliance  

1,375 

6 

800 

Essex  

1,375 

6 

800 

Enterprise  

1,375 

4 

800 

Nashville  

1,371 

8 

2,536 

Monocacy  

1,370 

6 

850 

Thetis  

1,250 

.  . 

530 

Hull. 
Iron 
Wood 

Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


Wood 

Steel 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Steel 

Steel 

Steel 

Wood 

Wood 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Iron 

Steel 

Steel 

Steel 

Steel 

Steel 

Steel 

Wood 

Wood 

Wood 

Wood 

Steel 

Iron 

Wood 


338 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


Displace- 

Guns in 

Indicated 

NAME. 

ment  (tons). 

main  battery. 

horse  power. 

Hull. 

Castine  

,  1,177 

8 

2,199 

Steel 

Machias  

1,177 

8 

2,046 

Steel 

Alert   

1,020 

3 

500 

Iron 

Ranger  

1,020 

6 

500 

Iron 

Annapolis  

1,000 

6 

1,227 

Comp 

Vicksburg  

1,000 

6 

1,118 

Comp 

Wheeling  

1,000 

6 

1,081 

Comp 

Marietta  

1,000 

6 

1,054 

Comp 

Newport  

1,000 

6 

1,008 

Comp 

FOURTH 

RATE. 

Vesuvius  

929 

3 

3,795 

Steel 

Yantic  

900 

4 

310 

Wood 

Petrel   

,  892 

4 

1,095 

Steel 

Fern  

840 

.  . 

Wood 

Bancroft  

839 

4 

1,213 

Steel 

Michigan  

685 

4 

365 

Iron 

Pinta  

550 

2 

310 

Iron 

TORPEDO  BOATS. 

1— Cushing 105  3 

2— Ericsson 120  3 

3— Foote 142  3 

4— Rodgers 142  3 

5— Winslow 142  3 

6— Porter 3 

7— Du  Pont 3 

8— Rowan 182  3 

9— Dahlgren   146  2 

10— T.  A.  M.  Craven 146  2 

11— Farragut 273  2 

12— Davis    132  3 

13— Fox 132  3 

14— Morris 103  3 

15— Talbot 46$  2 

16— Gwin 46$  2 

17— Mackenzie 65  2 

18— McKee 65  2 

19— Stringham   340  2 

20— Goldsborough 247$  2 

21— Bailey 235  2 

Stiletto  .  31  2 


1,720 

1,800 
2,000 
2,000 
2,000 


3,200 

4,200 

4,200 

5,600 

1,750 

1,750 

1,750 

850 

850 

850 

850 

7,200 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Wood 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


339 


TUGBOATS. 

Displace-  Guns  in  Indicated 

NAME.                                              ment  (tons),  main  battery.      Horse  power.            Hull. 

Fortune    450  . .  340  Iron 

Iwana  192  . .  300  Steel 

Leyden   450  . .  340  Iron 

Narkeeta 192  . .  300  Steel 

Nina 357  . .  388  Iron 

Rocket 187  . .  147  Wood 

Standish 450  1  340  Iron 

Traffic   280  . .  ...  Wood 

Triton 212  . .  300  Steel 

Waneta 192  . .  300  Steel 

Unadilla .      345  . .  500  Steel 

Samoset 225  . .  450  Steel 

SAILING   SHIPS. 

Monongahela 2,100  4                  Wood 

Constellation   1,186  8                  Wood 

Jamestown 1,150  ..                  Wood 

Portsmouth   1,125  12                  Wood 

Saratoga 1,025  . .                   Wood 

St.  Mary's 1,025  . .                  Wood 

RECEIVING   SHIPS. 

Franklin  5,170  4  1,050  Wood 

Wabash 4,650  . .  950  Wood 

Vermont 4,150  . .                   Wood 

Independence 3,270  6                  Wood 

Richmond  2,700  2  692  Wood 

UNSERVICEABLE. 

New  Hampshire 4,150  6                  Wood 

Pensacola 3,000  . .  680  Wood 

Omaha 2,400  . .  953  Wood 

Constitution 2,200  4                  Wood 

Iroquois 1,575  . .  1,202  Wood 

Nipsic 1,375  4  839  Wood 

St.  Lo'ais 830  ..                   Wood 

Dale 675  ..                   Wood 

Minnesota 4,700  9  1,000  Wood 


340 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


UNDER   CONSTRUCTION. 

Displace-  Guns  in.  Indicated 

NAME.                                             ment  (tons),  main  battery.      horse  power.            Hull. 

Kearsarge 11,525  22  10,000  Steel 

Kentucky 11,525  22  10,000  Steel 

Illinois 11,525  18  10,000  Steel 

Alabama 11,525  IS  10,000  Steel 

Wisconsin    11,525  18  10,000  Steel 

Princeton 1,000  6  800  Comp 

Plunger 168  2  1,200  Steel 

Tug  No.  6 225  . .  450  Steel 

Tug  No.  7 225  .-.  450  Steel 

Training  ship 1,175  6                  Coinp 


Spain's  Navy  Is  a  Weaker  One. 

Spain's  navy  is  decidedly  weak  when  compared  with  that  of  the 
United  States.  A  mere  glance  at  the  two  tables  will  be  sufficient  to 
show  the  difference.  Spain's  list  of  unarmored  cruisers  is  long,  but  four 
of  our  battle  ships  or  swift,  modern,  armored  cruisers  could  blow  the 
lot  out  of  the  water.  In  torpedo  boats  we  compare  favorably  with 
Spain.  In  one  respect  Spain  is  stronger,  that  is  in  her  six  speedy  tor- 
pedo boat  destroyers.  This  table  accounts  for  every  war  ship  Spain 
lias,  to  say  nothing  of  the  few  antique  merchantmen  of  the  Spanish 
liner  company  which  can  be  turned  into  cruisers. 


FIRST-CLASS    BATTLE    SHIPS. 


NAME.  Tonnage. 

Pelayo 9,900 

Vitoria  (inefficient) 7,250 


Guns  in 
batteries. 

22 


Numancia 


OLD  BATTLE    SHIPS. 
7,250  10 


Speed  in 

knots 

per  hour. 

17.0 
11.0 


11.0 


FIRST-CLASS  ARMORED  CRUISERS. 


Carlos  V 9,235  28  20.0 

Cisneros  7,000  24  20.0 

Cataluna    7,000  24  20.0 


Hull. 

Steel 

Iron 


Iron 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 


Speed  in 

knots 
per  hour. 

20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 


Guns  in 
NAME.  Tonnage.  batteries. 

Princess  Asturias    7,000  24 

Almirante  Oquendo    7,000  30 

Maria  Teresa    7,000  30 

Vizcaya 7,000  30 

Cristobal  Colon    6,840  40 

SECOND-CLASS    ARMORED    CRUISERS. 

Alfonso  XIII 5,000  19                20.0 

Lepanto 4,826  25                20.0 

UNARMORED   CRUISERS. 

Reina  Christina   3,520  21 

Aragon 3,342  24 

Cartilla 3,342  22 

Navarra   3,342  16 

Alfonso  XII 3,090  23 

Reina  Mercedes 3,090  21 

Velasco 1,152  7 

C.  de  Venadito 1,130  13 

Ulloa 1,130  12 

Austria 1,130  12 

Isabel 1,130  15 

Isabel  II 1,130  16 

Isla  de  Cuba 1,030  12 

Isla  de  Luzon 1,030  12 

Ensenada   1,030  13 

Quiros 315 

Villabolas 315 

. 935  5 

*  TORPEDO  BOATS. 

Alvaro  de  Bezan 830 

Maria  Molina 830 

Destructor 458 

Filipiuas 750 

Galicia 571 

Marques  Vitoria 830 

Marques  Molina 571 


17.5 
17.5 
17.5 
17.5 
17.5 
17.5 
14.3 
14.0 
14.0 
14.0 
14.0 
14.0 
16.0 
16.0 
15.0 


20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 
20.0 


Hull. 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


Steel 
Steel 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Iron 
Iron 
Wood 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


*  Armed  with  two  and  four  torpedo  tubes,  six  quick  fire  and  two  machine 


guns. 


342 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  AKMIES. 


Speed  in 

Guns  in  knots 

NAME.                                                    Tonnage.  batteries.          per  hour. 

Pinzon ! 571  ..  20.0 

Nueva  Espana   630  . .  20.0 

Rapido 570  . .  20.0 

Temerario 590  ..  20.0 

Yanez  Pinzon  571  . .  20.0 

*  GUNBOATS. 

Hernon  Cortes  300  1  12.0 

Pizarro   300  2  12.0 

Nunez  Balboa 300  ,  1  12.5 

Diego  Velasquez   200  3  12.0 

Ponce  de  Leon 200  3  12.0 

Alvarado   100  2  12.0 

Sandoval 100  2  12.0 

TORPEDO   BOAT    DESTROYERS. 

Audaz  400  6  30.0 

Furor 380  6  28.0 

Terror 380  6  28.0 

Osada   380  6  28.0 

Pluton 380       .  6  28.0 

Prosperina 380  6  28.0 

SMALL  TORPEDO  BOATS. 

Ariete 26.1 

Rayo ...  . .       .          25.5 

Azor . .  24.0 

Halcon . .  24.0 

Habana . .  21.3 

Barcelo . .  19.5 

Orion . .  21.5 

Retamosa . .  20.5 

Ordonez . .  20.1 

Ejercito . .  19.1 

Pollux . .  19.5 

Castor . .  19.0 

Aire 8.0 


Hull. 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 
Steel 


*  There  are  eighteen  others  of  smaller  size,  which  with  the  above  were 
built  for  service  in  Cuban  waters,  and  are  now  there. 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES.          343 

GUN   VESSELS   (SO-CALLED). 

Speed  in 

Guns  in  knots 

NAME.                                                    Tonnage.            batteries.  per  hour.               Hull. 

General  Concha  • 520                ..  ....                Steel 

Elcano 524                ..  ....                 Steel 

General  Lego 524                . .  ....                 Steel 

Magellanes 524                ..  ....                Steel 

BUILDING. 

(Battle  ship.) 

. .   10,000                ..  .....                Steel 

(Armored  cruisers.) 
10,500                . .  ....                Steel 


Pedro  d'Aragon 6,840  . .  ....  Steel 

(Protected  cruisers.) 

Reina  Regente 5,372  . .  ....  Steel 

Rio  de  la  Plata 1,775  . .                Steel 

(Torpedo  boats.) 
Five  of  Ariete  type  and  one  of  750  tons. 

LINERS   FOR  CONVERSION. 

Magellanes 6,932  ..  17.0  Steel 

Buenos  Aires   5,195  . .  14.0  Steel 

Montevideo    5,096  . .  14.5  Steel 

Alfonso  XII 5,063  . .  15.0  Steel 

Leon  XIII 4,687  . .  15.0  Steel 

Satrustegui 4,638  . .  15.0  Steel 

Alfonso  XIII 4,381  . .  16.0  Steel 

Maria  Cristina   4,381  . .  16.0  Steel 

Luzon 4,252  . .  13.0  Steel 

Mindanao  4,195  . .  13.5  Steel 

Isla  de  Panay 3,636  . .  13.5  Steel 

Cataluna 3,488  ..  14.0  Steel 

City  of  Cadiz 3,084  . .  13.5  Steel 


Interest  in  the  Working  of  Modern  War  Ships. 

The  puzzle  that  was  troubling  every  naval  authority  as  well  as 
every  statesman  in  the  civilized  world,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  be- 
tween  the  United  States  and  Spain,  was  what  would  be  the  results 


344          STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 

of  a  conflict  at  sea  between  the  floating  fortresses  which  now  serve  as 
battle-ships.  Since  navies  reached  their  modern  form  there  had  been 
no  war  in  which  the  test  of  the  battle-ship  was  complete.  Lessons 
might  be  learned  and  opinions  formed  and  prophesies  made  from  the 
action  of  battle-ships  in  the  war  between  China  and  Japan,  the  war 
between  Chili  and  Peru,  and  from  the  disasters  which  had  overtaken 
the  Maine  in  the  harbor  of  Havana  and  the  Victoria  in  her  collision 
with  the  Camperdown,  as  well  as  the  wreck  of  the  Keina  Regente  and 
others.  But  in  all  these,  combine  the  information  as  one  might,  there 
was  insufficient  testimony  to  prove  what  would  happen  if  two  powers 
of  nearly  equal  strength  were  to  meet  for  a  fight  to  a  finish. 

Whatever  was  uncertain,  it  was  known  at  least  that  there  would 
be  no  more  sea  fights  like  those  of  the  last  century  and  the  first  half 
of  this,  when  three-deck  frigates  and  seventy -four-gun  men-of-war 
were  lashed  together,  while  their  crews  fought  with  small  arms  and 
cutlasses  for  hours.  Those  were  the  days  when  "hearts  of  oak"  and 
"the  wooden  walls  of  England"  made  what  romance  there  was  in 
naval  warfare,  and  the  ships  of  the  young  United  States  won  respect 
on  every  sea.  In  the  fights  of  those  days  the  vessels  would  float  till 
they  were  shot  to  pieces,  and  with  the  stimulus  of  close  fighting  the 
men  were  ready  to  brave  any  odds  in  boarding  an  enemy's  craft.  It 
was  well  understood  that  the  changed  conditions  would  make  very 
different  battles  between  the  fighting  machines  of  to-day. 

That  a  naval  battle  between  modern  fleets,  armed  with  modern 
guns,  would  be  a  terribly  destructive  one  both  to  the  ships  and  to  the 
lives  of  those  who  manned  them,  was  conceded  by  all  naval  authori- 
ties. The  destructiveness  would  come  not  only  from  the  tremendous 
power  and  effectiveness  of  the  guns,  but  also  from  the  fact  that  the 
shell  had  replaced  the  solid  shot  in  all  calibers  dowrn  to  the  one- 
pounder,  so  that  to  the  penetrating  effect  of  the  projectile  was  added 
its  explosive  power  and  the  scattering  of  its  fragments  in  a  destruc-, 
tive  and  death-dealing  circle  many  feet  in  diameter. 

Modern  Guns   and  Projectiles. 

The  modern  armor-piercing  shell,  made  of  hardened  steel,  and  with 
its  conical  point  carefully  fashioned  for  the  greatest  penetrating 
power,  has  all  the  armor-piercing  effectiveness  of  a  solid  shot  of  the 
same  shape,  while  its  explosiveness  makes  it  infinitely  more  destruc- 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADKONS  AND  AKMIES.  345 

tive.  For  the  modern  shell  does  not  explode  when  it  first  strikes  the 
side  or  armor  of  an  enemy's  ship,  but  after  it  has  pierced  the  side  or 
armor  and  has  exhausted  its  penetrative  effect  The  percussion  fuse 
is  in  the  base  of  the  shell,  and  is  exploded  by  a  plunger  driven  against 
it  by  the  force  of  the  impact  of  the  shell  on  striking.  The  time  be- 
tween the  impact  of  the  shell  and  its  explosion  is  sufficient  for  it  to 
have  done  its  full  penetrative  work. 

It  first  must  be  understood  that  all  modern  guns  on  ships-of-war 
are  breech-loading  and  rifled,  and  that  the  smooth  bore  exists  only  as 
a  relic,  or  to  be  brought  out  in  an  emergency  for  coast  defense,  when 
modern  guns  are  not  available.  From  the  thirteen-inch  down  to  the 
four-inch,  the  guns  are  designated  by  their  caliber,  the  diameter  of 
their  bore,  and  the  shot  they  throw,  while  from  that  to  the  one- 
pounder  they  take  their  name  from  the  weight  of  the  shot.  Every- 
thing below  the  one-pounder  is  in  the  machine-gun  class. 

The  base  of  rapid-fire  work  is  the  bringing  together  in  one  cart- 
ridge of  the  primer,  powder,  and  shell.  When  the  limit  of  weight  of 
cartridge,  easily  handled  by  one  man,  is  reached,  the  limit  of  rapid- 
fire  action  is  also  reached;  and,  although  the  quick-moving  breech 
mechanisms  have  been  applied  abroad  to  guns  of  as  large  as  eight- 
inch  caliber,  such  guns  would  rank  as  quick,  rather  than  rapid  firing, 
and  would  require  powder  and  shot  to  be  loaded  separately. 

On  the  modern  battle-ships  the  function  of  the  great  guns  is  the 
penetration  of  the  enemy's  armor,  either  at  the  waterline  belt  or  on 
the  turrets  and  gun  positions,  while  that  of  the  rapid-firers  is  the  de- 
struction of  the  unarmored  parts  or  the  disabling  of  the  guns  not 
armor  protected.  The  six,  three,  and  one-pounders  direct  their  rain  of 
shots  at  the  turret  portholes,  gun  shields,  or  unprotected  parts  of  the 
ship,  having  also  an  eye  to  torpedo-boats,  while  from  the  fighting 
tops,  the  Gatlings  rain  a  thousand  shots  a  minute  on  any  of  the  crew 
in  exposed  positions.  With  such  a  storm  of  large  and  small  projec- 
tiles it  would  seem  to  be  rather  a  question  of  who  would  be  left  alive 
rather  than  who  would  be  killed. 

The  guns  in  use  in  the  United  States  navy  are  the  13-inch,  12-inch, 
10-inch,  8-inch, .  6-inch,  5-inch,  4-inch,  6-pounders,  3-pounders,  1- 
pounder,  Ilotchkiss  37  mm.  revolver  cannon,  and  the  machine  guns. 
In  the  following  table  is  given  the  length  and  weight  of  these  guns,  as 
well  as  of  the  shell  they  carry: 


346          STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES. 

Length  Powder  Weight 

of  gun,  charge,  of  shell, 

GUNS.                                                                                feet.  pounds.  pounds. 

One-pounder 5.1  .3  1 

Three-pounder 7.3  1.7  3 

Six-pounder 8.9  3.0  6 

Fourteen-pounder 11.6  8.0  14 

Four-inch   13.7  14.0  33 

Five-inch 17.4  30.0  50 

Six-inch 21.3  50.0  100 

Eight-inch 28.7  115.0  250 

Ten-inch   31.2  240.0  500 

Twelve-inch 36.8  425.0  850 

Thirteen-inch 40.0  550.0  1,100 


How  the  Big  Guns  Are  Used. 

The  14-pounder,  although  not  included  in  the  navy  armament,  is 
given  for  the  purpose  of  comparison,  since  it  is  with  guns  of  this  cali- 
ber that  some  of  the  Spanish  torpedo-boat  destroyers  are  armed.  The 
largest  gun  '  as  yet  mounted  on  our  largest  torpedo-boats  is  the 
S-pounder,  while  a  single  1-pounder  is  the  gun  armament  of  the  or- 
dinary torpedo-boat.  The  Hotchkiss  revolver  cannon  is  not  given  in 
the  table  because  its  caliber,  etc.,  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  l-pounder? 
and,  in  fact,  the  latter  has  superseded  it  in  the  latest  armaments,  so 
that  it  is  now  found  only  on  the  older  ships  of  the  modern  fleet.  The 
machine  guns  are  not  given  because  their  effective  work  is  practically 
the  same.  The  Gatling  is  of  45-caliber,  and  uses  the  government  am- 
munition for  the  Springfield  rifle. 

A  look  over  the  table  shows  some  general  principles  in  the  matter 
of  powder  and  shell  used.  The  powder  charge  is  about  half  the  weight 
of  the  shell,  while  the  length  of  the  shell  is  a  little  over  three  times  its 
diameter. 

To  attain  its  extreme  range  a  gun  must  be  given  an  elevation  of 
about  fifteen  degrees.  The  greatest  elevation  given  any  of  the  guns 
on  shipboard  is  about  six  degrees.  This  limit  is  made  by  two  factors 
— the  size  of  the  portholes  or  opening  in  the  turrets  for  the  larger 
guns,  and  the  danger  of  driving  the  gun  backward  and  downward 
through  the  deck  by  any  greater  elevation.  The  practical  range  of 
the  great  guns  of  a  ship,  the  ten,  twelve,  and  thirteen-inch,  is  not, 


STRENGTH  OF  OPPOSING  SQUADRONS  AND  ARMIES.  347 

therefore,  believed  to  be  over  five  or  six  miles,  and  even  at  that  range 
the  chances  of  hitting  a  given  object  would  be  very  small.  A  city 
could,  of  course,  be  bombarded  with  effect  at  such  a  range,  since  a  shell 
would  do  tremendous  damage  wherever  it  might  strike,  but  a,  city  to 
which  a  ship  could1  approach  no  nearer  than  say  seven  miles  would 
be  safe  from  bombardment. 

The  muzzle  velocities  given  the  shells  from  the  guns  of  the  navy 
are  something  tremendous,  while  the  muzzle  energy  is  simply  appall- 
ing. The  shell  from  the  thirteen-inch  gun  leaves  the  muzzle  at  a 
velocity  of  2,100  feet  a  second,  and  with  an  energy  of  33,627-foot  tons, 
or  the  power  required  to  lift  one  ton  one  foot.  From  this  velocity  the 
range  is  to  1,800  feet  a  second  in  the  one-pounder,  although  from  the 
three-pounder  at  2,050  feet  it  averages  about  the  same  as  the  thirteen* 
inch.  The  five-inch  rapid-fire  gun  has  the  greatest  muzzle  velocity  at 
2,250  feet.  The  muzzle  energy  is,  of  course,  small  in  the  smaller  guns, 
being  only  twenty-five-foot  tons  in  the  one-pounder  and  500  tons  in 
the  fourteen-pounder. 

The  power  of  penetration  has  already  been  given  in  a  general  way, 
but  the  power  of  penetration  of  steel  is  much  greater.  At  its  muzzle 
velocity  the  thirteen-inch  shell  will  penetrate  26.66  inches  of  steel,  the 
twelve-inch,  24.16  inches;  the  ten-inch,  20  inches,  and  the  five-inch,  9 
inches.  The  one-pound  shell  bursts  in  piercing  one-fourth  and  nine- 
sixteenths-inch  plates,  scattering  its  fragments  behind  the  target. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  note  that  the  cost  of  one  discharge  of  a 
thirteen-inch  gun  is  $800,  and  that  when  a  battle-ship  like  the  Massa- 
chusetts lets  loose  her  entire  battery,  both  main  and  secondary,  the 
cost  of  a  single  discharge  is  $6,000. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

BATTLESHIPS  AND  TROOPS  BEGIN  TO  MOVE. 

The  North  Atlantic  Squadron  Sent  to  Key  West — Commodore  Schley  at 
Hampton  Roads — The  Voyage  of  the  Oregon — The  Camp  at  Chicka- 
mauga — Where  the  Initial  Work  of  Mobilizing  the  Troops  Was  Done — • 
Life  at  Camp  Thomas — Life  on  the  Famous  Battle  Field — Rendezvous 
at  Fort  Tampa — The  Great  Artillery  Camp. 

Immediately  following  the  action  of  Congress  authorizing  the  Pres- 
ident to  call  into  service  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States,  the 
North  Atlantic  squadron,  under  command  of  Captain  Sampson,  was 
mobilized  at  Key  West.  It  consisted  of  the  following  vessels :  Battle- 
ships Iowa  and  Indiana,  armored  cruiser  New  York,  the  monitors  Puri- 
tan, Terror  and  Ainphitrite,  the  gunboats  Nashville,  Castine,  Machias, 
Wilmington  and  Helena,  the  cruisers  Detroit,  Cincinnati  and  Marble- 
head,  and  the  torpedo-boats  Cushing,  Ericsson,  Dupont,  Foote,  Wlnslow, 
Porter  and  Mayflower. 

These  comprised  a  hard  fighting  aggregation  under  a  cool  and  dar- 
ing fighter.  The  two  first-class  battleships  were  not  equaled  in  fighting 
power  by  anything  in  the  Spanish  navy,  and  the  New  York  was  one  of 
the  best  fighting  ships  of  her  kind  in  the  world. 

Commodore  Winfield  Scott  Schley  and  the  fighters  of  his  flying 
squadron  were  gathered  at  Hampton  Roads,  impatient  for  orders  from 
Washington  to  face  the  foe.  Far  away  in  Pacific  waters  Commodore 
Dewey  was  cabled  the  command  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  proceed 
to  Manila,  and  the  good  ship  Oregon,  under  command  of  Captain  Clarke, 
was  steaming  her  way  around  Cape  Horn  to  join  the  fleet  in  Cuban 
waters. 

In  the  army  equal  activity  was  shown. 

The   Camp  at   Chickamauga, 

Chickamauga  Park,  near  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  was  the  point  of  con- 
centration for  the  regular  troops  which  were  gathered  for  the  war  with. 
Spain.  It  was  the  initial  camp  where  the  mobilization  took  place,  and 

24* 


BATTLESHIPS    AND   TKOOPS    BEGIN   TO   MOVE.  349 

from  which  soldiers  and  supplies  were  dispatched  to  seacoast  towns 
within  easy  striking  distance  of  Cuba,  When  orders  went  out  from 
army  headquarters  at  Washington  for  the  movement  of  the  regulars 
to  Chickamauga  a  thrill  of  soldierly  pride  swelled  the  breast  of  every 
man  who  wore  Uncle  Sam's  blue  uniform,  and  there  was  a  hasty  dash  for 
the  new  camp.  There  is  nothing  an  army  man,  officer  or  private,  dis- 
likes so  much  as  inactivity.  Fighting,  especially  against  a  foreign  foe, 
suits  him  better  than  dawdling  away  his  time  in  idleness,  and  word  to 
"get  to  the  front"  is  always  welcome. 

For  nearly  three  weeks  troops  poured  into  Chickamauga  on  every 
train.  They  came  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  and  from  every  regi- 
ment and  branch  of  the  service.  There  were  "dough-boys"  and  cavalry- 
men, engineers  and  artillerymen;  some  regiments  were  there  in  force, 
others  were  represented  by  detachments  only.  There  were  companies 
and  parts  of  companies,  squadrons  and  parts  of  squadrons,  batteries  and 
parts  of  batteries.  It  was  a  bringing  together  of  Uncle  Sam's  soldier 
boys  from  all  conceivable  sections  of  the  country.  They  came  from 
posts  in  California  and  Texas,  from  Wyoming  and  Maine,  from  Colo- 
rado and  Minnesota.  In  time  of  peace  the  regular  army  is  badly  scat- 
tered. It  is  seldom  that  an  entire  regiment  is  stationed  at  one  post,  the 
companies  being  distributed  over  a  wide  area  of  territory.  A  mobili- 
zation, therefore,  like  that  at  Chickamauga,  tended  to  consolidate  and 
put  new  life  into  commands  which  had.  been  badly  dismembered  by  the 
exigencies  of  the  service.  Old  comrades  were  brought  together  and  there 
was  a  sort  of  general  reunion  and  glorification.  Men  who  had  been 
doing  police  duty  near  big  cities  met  those  who  had  been  watching  In- 
dians on  the  plains,  or  chasing  greaser  bandits  on  the  border  line.  They 
exchanged  stories  and  prepared  for  the  stern  realities  of  war  with  a 
vigor  which  boded  ill  for  the  foe  they  were  to  face. 

Uncle  Sam's  soldier  is  a  great  grumbler  when  in  idleness.  He  finds 
fault  with  his  officers,  his  food,  his  quarters,  his  clothing,  his  pay,  and 
even  with  himself.  Nothing  pleases  him.  He  records  big,  sonorous 
oaths  about  his  idiocy  in  swearing  away  his  liberty  for  a  term  of  years. 
But  let  the  alarm  of  war  sound,  show  him  active  preparations  for  a 
scrimmage  with  the  enemy,  and  the  "regular"  is  happy.  This  was  the 
condition  which  prevailed  at  Chickamauga.  The  men  were  full  of  en- 
thusiasm and  worked  as  hard  as  the  proverbial  beavers.  Drills  once 
distasteful  and  shirked  whenever  possible  were  gone  through  with  alac- 
rity and  the  "boy  in  blue"  was  a  true  soldier,  every  inch  of  him.  There 
was  war  in  sight. 


350  BATTLESHIPS   AND  TROOPS    BEGIN   TO   MOVE. 


Life  at  Camp  Thomas. 

On  one  point  at  least  there  was  an  accord  of  opinion  in  rank  and 
file — the  camp  was  well  named.  "Camp  George  H.  Thomas"  they  called 
it,  in  memory  of  old  "Pap,"  the  hero  of  Chiekamauga,  and  men  and 
officers  alike  took  a  very  visible  pride  in  being  residents  of  the  tented 
city.  The  establishment  of  the  community  at  Camp  Thomas  was  much 
like  the  establishment  of  a  colony  in  an  unsettled  land,  in  so  far  as  do- 
mestic conveniences  were  concerned.  Everything  had  to  be  taken  there, 
and  each  regiment,  which  was  a  small  canvas  town  in  itself,  had  to  de- 
pend entirely  upon  its  own  resources.  Dotted  here  and  there  through- 
out the  entire  expanse  of  the  fifteen-mile  reservation,  these  cities  of 
tents  were  seen,  and  the  brave  men  who  lived  in  them,  depended  upon 
themselves  and  each  other  for  what  little  entertainment  they  got.  A 
description  of  the  quarters  of  one  officer  will  serve  for  all.  An  "A,"  or 
wall  tent,  10  by  12  feet,  and  some  of  them  a  size  smaller,  was  his  house. 
On  one  side  a  folding  camp  cot,  with  a  thin  yet  comfortable  mattress 
and  an  abundance  of  heavy,  woolen  army  blankets.  A  table  about 
twenty  inches  square,  with  legs  that  fold  up  into  the  smallest  possible 
space,  stood  near  the  door  at  the  foot  of  the  cot.  A  folding  chair  or  two 
for  his  visitors,  a  large  valise  or  a  very  small  trunk,  a  bit  of  looking 
glass  hanging  from  a  tent  pole,  a  tubular  lantern,  or,  if  the  tenant  of 
the  tent  was  not  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  such  a  modern  light,  then  a 
candle  attached  to  a  stick  in  the  ground  beside  his  bed.  Tie  strings 
attached  to  the  rear  wall  of  the  tent  afforded  a  hanging  place  for  "his 
other  shirt"  and  a  pair  of  extra  shoes.  His  leggings  and  boots  were  on 
his  feet,  and  his  belt,  pistol  and  saber  stood  in  a  corner.  A  pad  of  writ- 
ing paper,  pocket  inkstand,  a  razor  strop,  unless  he  had  foresworn  shav- 
ing, a  briar  or  corn-cob  pipe,  and  a  bag  of  tobacco  completed  the  furnish- 
ings of  his  house.  Commanding  officers,  at  regimental  headquarters, 
had  an  extra  roof,  or  "tent  fly,"  as  an  awning  in  front  of  their  quarters, 
but  otherwise  lived  as  other  officers  did. 

The  enlisted  men,  quartered  in  the  conical  wall  tents  now  adopted 
by  the  army,  bunked  with  heads  to  the  wall  and  feet  toward  the  center, 
from  nine  to  twelve  in  a  tent.  Their  bedding  and  blankets  were  good 
and  they  were  as  comfortable  as  soldiers  could  hope  to  be  in  the  field. 
Some  of  the  regiments  from  the  remote  Northwest  had  the  Sibley  conical 
tent,  which  has  no  wall,  but  which  has  a  small  sheet  iron  stove.  These 


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BATTLESHIPS   AND   TROOPS    BEGIN   TO    MOVE.  353 

were  more  than  appreciated  during  the  cold,  rainy  weather  that  pre- 
vailed at  Camp  Thomas. 

The  mess  tents  and  cookhouses  are  a,bout  alike  in  all  the  arms  of 
the  service.  The  "cuddy-bunk"  oven,  made  of  sheet  iron,  bakes  well  and 
looks  like  two  iron  pans  fastened  together,  one  upon  the  top  of  the  other. 
Men  detailed  as  cooks  and  waiters,  or  "kitchen  police,"  as  they  are  de- 
nominated in  the  posts,  attended  to  the  preparation  and  serving  of  the 
meals,  and  the  soldiers  lived  well,  indeed.  Field  rations  were  used  when 
in  transit  from  point  to  point,  but  when  in  camp  the  company  or  troop 
mess  purchased  fresh  meats,  vegetables,  eggs,  fruits,  etc.,  and  lived  high. 

Rendezvous  at  Port  Tampa. 

Twenty-eight  batteries  of  artillery,  almost  the  entire  complement  of 
this  branch  of  the  United  States  army,  were  in  camp  at  Port  Tampa, 
Fla.,  awaiting  orders  to  make  a  descent  upon  the  Spanish  forces  in 
Cuba.  This  great  gathering  of  artillery  was  the  feature  of  the  camp. 
Infantry  and  cavalry  troops  were  held  there  also,  and  their  number  in- 
creased every  day,  but  it  was  in  the  artillery  that  the  civilian  spectators 
took  the  most  interest.  This  may  be  said  without  disparagement  of 
the  "dough  boys"  and  "hostlers,"  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  there 
were  some  of  Uncle  Sam's  most  famous  fighters  in  both  lines  of  service 
stationed  at  Tampa,  among  them  being  the  Ninth  cavalry,  and  the 
Fourth,  Fifth,  Ninth,  Thirteenth  and  Twenty-fourth  infantry.  No  cav- 
alry regiment  has  a  finer  record  than  the  Ninth,  the  "buffalo"  troopers, 
who  gave  the  Sioux  and  Apaches  more  fighting  than  they  wanted,  but 
Southern  people  have  no  use  for  negro  soldiers,  and  their  laudations 
went  to  the  white  artillerymen. 

No  such  aggregation  of  light  and  heavy  artillery  has  been  gathered 
before  at  any  one  city  in  the  United  States,  even  in  war  time. 

Life  in  camp  at  Tampa  was  much  the  same  as  at  Chickamauga,  ex- 
cept that  the  weather  was  much  hotter.  To  offset  this,  however,  the 
boys  had  fine  sea  bathing,  good  opportunities  for  sailing  parties,  and  the 
best  of  fresh  fish  with  which  to  leaven  their  rations  of  salt  horse  and 
hardtack.  It  is  astonishing  how  quickly  a  man  learns  to  forage  and  cook 
after  joining  the  regular  army.  Three  months  of  service  will  transform 
the  greenest  of  counter-jumpers  into  an  expert  in  the  art  of  enticing 
chickens  from  their  coops  and  turning  them  into  savory  stews.  One  of 
the  troopers  of  the  Ninth  cavalry  was  called  "Chickens,"  from  his  pre- 
dilections in  this  line.  There  were  orders  against  foraging,  of  course; 


354  BATTLESHIPS   AND   TROOPS    BEGIN   TO   MOVE. 

there  always  are  in  friendly  territory,  but  they  never  amount  to  much. 
The  officers  knew  they  were  disobeyed,  but  they  winked  the  other  eye 
and  said  nothing.  It  is  hinted  that  in  this  course  may  be  often  found 
an  explanation  of  the  lavishness  with  which  the  officers'  mess  is  served. 
One  night  Major  -  -  was  smoking  a  nightcap  cigar  just  outside  his 
tent,  when  he  caught  sight  of  "Chickens"  stealing  past  in  the  shade  of 
the  trees.  "Chickens"  of  course  was  halted  and  asked  why  he  was  prowl- 
ing around  at  that  time  of  night.  Before  the  culprit  could  frame  an  ex- 
cuse the  Major  noticed  a  suspicious  bulging  of  the  front  of  the  trooper's 
blouse,  and  an  uneasy,  twisting  motion  writhin.  It  was  plain  to  him 
that  "Chickens"  had  been  foraging,  and  was  getting  back  into  quarters 
with  his  plunder. 

"Been  foraging,  hey?"  said  the  Major.  "Don't  you  know  it's  against 
orders?" 

"Chickens"  stammered  out  a  denial,  when  the  Major,  making  a 
sudden  grab  at  the  front  of  his  blouse,  tore  it  open,  and  ont  fell  two 
plump  pullets. 

"Stealing  hens,  hey?"  said  the  Major.  "You'll  go  to  the  clink  for 
this." 

"Ah  didn't  dun  steal  'em,  Majah,"  said  "Chickens,"  with  brazen  ef- 
frontery. "Ah  'clar  to  goodness  Ah  didn't  know  dem  pullets  was  dar. 
Mus'  have  crawled  into  mah  blous  t'  keep  wahm,  Majah." 

The  reply  tickled  the  veteran  so  much  that  he  let  "Chickens"  pass, 
and  the  next  morning  there  was  one  officer  at  the  post  who  had  stewed 
pullet  for  breakfast. 

One  of  the  most  famous  regiments  of  infantry  at  Tampa  was  the 
Thirteenth.  It  has  the  well-earned  reputation  of  being  a  good  fighting 
body.  Some  of  the  most  distinguished  officers  of  the  army  have  been  on 
its  rolls  in  time  past,  among  them  Sherman  and  Sheridan.  The  history 
of  the  Thirteenth  goes  back  to  May  14,  1861,  when  President  Lincoln 
directed  its  organization.  The  first  colonel  was  William  T.  Sherman, 
who  re-entered  the  army  after  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  banking 
and.  the  practice  of  law.  C.  C.  Augur  was  one  of  the  majors,  and  Philip 
H.  Sheridan  was  a  captain.  Sheridan  joined  the  regiment  in  Novem- 
ber, 1861,  but  was  soon  appointed  chief  commissary  and  quartermaster 
to  the  Army  of  Southwest  Missouri,  which  practically  severed  his  con- 
nection with  the  regiment. 

In  1862  the  first  battalion  of  the  regiment  entered  on  active  service 
in  the  Mississippi  valley.  It  engaged  in  the  Yazoo  expedition  under 


BATTLESHIPS   AND   TROOPS    BEGIN   TO   MOVE.  355 

Sherman,  who  was  by  that  time  a  ma  jor-general  of  volunteers,  and  took 
part  later  in  Grant's  operations  around  Vicksburg.  The  battalion  won 
for  its  colors  the  proud  inscription,  "First  Honor  at  Vicksburg,"  and  lost 
43.3  per  cent  of  its  force  in  the  attack  on  the  Confederates.  Among 
the  dead  was  its  then  commander,  who  died  on  the  parapet.  Sherman's 
nine-year-old  son,  Willie,  who  was  with  his  father  at  Vicksburg,  was 
playfully  christened  a  "sergeant"  of  the  Thirteenth  battalion,  .and  his 
death  of  fever  in  October,  1863,  called  forth  a  sorrowful  letter  from 
General  Sherman  to  the  commander  of  the  Thirteenth.  "Please  convey 
to  the  battalion  my  heartfelt  thanks,"  he  wrote,  "and  assure  each  and  all 
that  if  in  after  years  they  call  on  me  or  mine,  and  mention  that  they  were 
of  the  Thirteenth  regulars  when  Willie  was  a  sergeant,  they  will  have  a 
key  to  the  .affections  of  my  family  that  will  open  all  it  has;  that  we  will 
share  with  them  our  last  blanket,  our  last  crust!" 

After  the  war  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  West.  It  was: 
employed  in  Kansas,  Montana,  Dakota,  Utah,  Wyoming  and  elsewhere 
until  1874,  for  a  large  part  of  the  time  serving  almost  continuously 
against  hostile  Indians.  In  1874  it  was  moved  to  New  Orleans,  and  was 
engaged  on  duty  in  the  Department  of  the  South  for  six  years.  During 
the  labor  riots  of  1877  all  but  two  companies  were  on  duty  at  Pittsburg, 
Scranton,  Wilkesbarre  and  other  points  in  Pennsylvania.  Then  back 
to  the  West  it  went  again,  and,  with  some  slight  vacations,  remained  on 
the  frontier  until  October,  1894,  when  it  was  transferred  to  various  posts 
in  New  York  State. 


CHAPTER    XL. 
DIPLOMATIC  RELATIONS  TERMINATE. 

Grave  Responsibilities  Bravely  Met — The  Ultimatum  to  Spain — The  Spanish 
Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  Sends  Minister  Woodford  His  Transports — 
Our  Consuls  in  Cuba  Leave  the  Island — Fate  of  Americans  Left  Behind 
— Spanish  Spies  at  Work — Playing  a  Desperate  Game. 

None  but  those  who  were  close  to  the  men  at  the  head  of  our  Govern- 
ment just  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  war  with  Spain  can  realize 
with  what  solicitude  they  watched  the  development  of  the  preliminary 
proceedings. 

With  full  appreciation  of  their  grave  responsibilities,  knowing  the 
power  inherent  in  their  positions  to  effect  results,  and  yet  cognizant  as 
the  days  went  by  of  their  inability  to  prevent  the  fulfillment  of  fate,  they 
endeavored  to  guide  events  so  far  as  they  could  in  a  course  which  will 
hold  them  and  the  people  blameless  in  the  sight  of  the  world  for  what- 
ever might  follow.  That  they  withstood  the  strain  so  well  bears  testi- 
mony to  their  mental  poise  and  strength  of  character. 

The  President's  demeanor  underwent  a  noticeable  change.  The  af- 
fable, cheery  mood  which  formerly  characterized  him,  gave  way  to  a 
sternness  of  manner  which  befits  a  humane  but  just  judge  called  upon 
to  execute  a  righteous  sentence.  A  curious  illustration  of  Mr.  McKin- 
ley's  temperament  was  shown  in  the  difference  in  his  bearing  after  the 
passage  of  the  resolutions  which  made  war  inevitable.  So  long  as  there 
was  the  slightest  chance  for  peace  the  pressure  of  uncertainty  bore 
heavily  upon  him,  and  his  face  assumed  a  wan  and  haggard  look.  That 
look  did  not  entirely  disappear,  but  it  was  no  longer  marked  by  anxiety. 
From  the  moment  the  decision  was  reached  which  imposed  upon  him  the 
leadership  of  a  nation  at  war,  he  seemed  to  have  experienced  a  sense  of 
relief,  for  he  saw  his  pathway  straight  before  him,  no  matter  how  rough 
it  might  be. 

Immediately  after  signing  the  resolutions  declaring  for  interven- 
tion by  our  Government,  the  President  sent  an  ultimatum  to  Spain,  quot- 
ing the  act  of  Congress,  and  notifying  her  that  her  army  and  navy  must 
be  withdrawn  from  Cuba  by  noon  of  April  23. 


DIPLOMATIC    RELATIONS   TERMINATE.  357 

The  Spanish  Minister,  Polo  y  Bernabe,  at  once  applied  for  his  pass- 
ports, and  left  the  country.  The  Spanish  Government,  without  waiting 
for  Minister  Woodford  to  deliver  the  ultimatum  of  the  United  States 
Government,  sent  him  his  transports,  thus  taking  the  initiative  and 
practically  declaring  war  against  this  government.  The  official  notifi- 
cation to  General  Woodford,  from  the  Spanish  Minister  of  Foreign  Af- 
fairs, was  as  follows: 

Dear  Sir: 

In  compliance  with  a  painful  duty,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that 
there  has  been  sanctioned  by  the  President  of  the  Republic  a  resolution  of 
both  chambers  of  the  United  States  which  denies  the  legitimate  sovereignty 
of  Spain,  and  threatens  immediate  armed  intervention  in  Cuba,  which  is  equiv- 
alent to  a  declaration  of  war. 

The  Government  of  Her  Majesty  has  ordered  her  Minister  at  Washington 
to  retire  without  loss  of  time  from  the  territory  of  North  America  with  all 
of  the  personality  of  the  Legation.  By  this  act  the  diplomatic  relations  which 
formerly  existed  between  the  two  countries,  and  all  official  communications 
between  their  respective  representatives  cease.  I  am  obliged  to  inform  you, 
so  that  on  your  part  you  can  make  such  arrangements  as  you  believe  con- 
venient. 

I  beg  that  at  a  suitable  time  Your  Excellency  will  acknowledge  receipt 
of  this  and  take  this  opportunity  to  reiterate  the  assurance  of  my  most  dis- 
tinguished consideration.  PIO  GULLON. 

General  Woodford  then  turned  over  the  Legation  to  the  care  of  the 
British  Government,  and  ordered  all  American  Consuls  in  Spain  to  cease 
their  offices  and  leave  the  country  at  once.  He  then  made  his  own  prepa- 
rations to  leave  and  started  for  Paris  without  delay. 

Consuls  in  Cuba  Leave  the  Island. 

Anticipating  the  action  taken  by  Congress,  a  peculiar  form  of  notice 
had  been  agreed  upon  between  Consul-General  Lee  and  the  Consuls 
some  weeks  previously.  The  telegram  notifying  them  to  leave  the  island 
was  to  be  in  these  words :  "Appropriation  for  relief  of  American  citizens 
is  exhausted."  This  form  was  devised  for  a  reason  which  had  its  bear- 
ing upon  the  unhappy  fate  of  the  Americans  left  on  the  island.  Spaniards 
of  the  vindictive  class  never  got  over  the  action  of  the  United  States  in 
undertaking  the  support  of  its  citizens  in  Cuba,  That  action  was  in  strik- 
ing contrast  with  the  course  of  the  Spanish  Government.  The  Span- 


358  DIPLOMATIC   RELATIONS   TERMINATE. 

iards  lost  no  opportunity  to  show  their  resentment  toward  the  Amer- 
icans. When  local  measures  of  relief  were  planned,  the  Americans  were 
taunted,  and  told  to  look  to  the  United  States  for  help  and  protection. 
The  charity  extended  by  the  United  States  brought  upon  the  benefi- 
ciaries persecution  at  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards.  General  Lee,  realizing 
the  strength  of  this  unworthy  sentiment,  thought  that  a  message  in  the 
language  quoted  would  be  so  grateful  to  Spanish  eyes  that  it  would  be 
put  through  to  the  Consuls  without  delay.  He  was  right  about  that. 
The  government  attempted  to  make  provision  for  the  removal  of  the 
Americans  on  the  island  at  the  same  time  that  the  Consuls  were  notified 
to  withdraw.  Results  showed  that  only  a  comparatively  small  number 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunities  to  go.  A  ship  made  its  way 
along  the  south  coast  of  Cuba  and  removed  from  Santiago,  Manzanillo 
and  Cienfuegos  between  200  and  300  refugees,  conveying  them  to  Ja- 
maica. This  was.  hardly  one-half.  From  the  northern  coast  the  number 
taken  off  the  island  was  much  smaller.  At  Havana  there  were  on  the 
rolls  of  the  Consulate  over  600  Americans,  of  whom  perhaps  200  elected 
to  take  passage  on  the  ships  sent  by  the  United  States.  At  Matanzas, 
Consul  Brice  had  about  400  Americans.  Consul  Barker,  at  Sagua,  had 
about  the  same  number,  while  Consul  Hance,  at  Cardenas,  had  about 
100.  Very  few  of  these  wanted  to  leave  their  interests  and  relatives. 
All  of  them  were  utterly  destitute.  They  did  not  know  what  they  could 
do  if  they  landed  in  the  United  States  without  friends.  Many  of  them 
were  Cubans,  who  had  lived  in  the  United  States  only  long  enough  to 
obtain  American  citizenship.  All  their  ties  were  in  Cuba.  They  be- 
lieved that  the  warships  would  come  quickly  with  provisions.  And  so 
they  chose  to  stay.  When  the  Consuls  left  they  put  food  enough  in  the 
possession  of  these  Americans  to  last  them  from  ten  davs  to  two  weeks. 

V 

The  fate  of  these  unfortunates  can  only  be  imagined.  From  the  prejudice 
which  existed  toward  the  American  reconcentrados  the  Consuls  know 
that  they  would  be  the  last  to  receive  any  consideration  when  the  block- 
ade began  to  bear  heavily. 

Spanish  Spies  at  Work. 

Just  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of  actual  hostilities  between  this  coun- 
try and  Spain  the  military  attache  of  the  Spanish  legation  at  Washing- 
ton was  compelled  to  leave  this  country,  because  it  was  known  he  had 
been  seeking  to  learn  certain  facts  relative  to  the  strength  of  our  forts 
and  their  defensive  equipment.  This  man  was  Lieutenant  Sobral,  and 


DIPLOMATIC   RELATIONS   TERMINATE.  359 

iu  plain  and  uncompromising  English,  he  was  a  spy,  or  member  of  the 
Spanish  secret  service,  which  implies  the  same  thing. 

Before  he  left  this  country  he  had  been  ejected  from  several  forts 
along  the  South  Atlantic  coast,  where  he  had  been  found  endeavoring 
to  gain  access  to  those  mysteries  which  no  man,  unless  he  wears  the  blue 
of  the  United  States  army,  can  righteously  know  aught  of,  even  in  times; 
of  peace.  This  was  the  first  intimation  this  country  had  that  Spain 
would  introduce  here  the  same  system  of  espionage  she  employs  at  home. 
Following  Sobral's  expulsion  from  the  country  came  the  knowledge  that 
Spanish  spies  were  working  in  Washington,  watching  every  move  made 
there;  that  they  swarmed  in  Key  West  and  in  New  York  city,  where  they 
maintained  a  strict  surveillance  over  the  members  of  the  Cuban  Junta. 

Many  of  these  spies  were  American  citizens,  or  at  least  nominally  so, 
for  their  work  was  done  under  the  direction  of  a  well-known  detective 
agency,  acting,  of  course,  with  the  Spanish  representatives  here.  These 
men  were  principally  engaged  in  preventing  the  shipment  of  stores  and 
arms  to  Cuba.  At  one  time  it  was  impossible  to  enter  or  leave  the 
building  where  the  Junta  had  its  headquarters  without  observing  one  or 
more  men  hanging  about  the  place,  apparently  with  nothing  to  do  and 
making  a  vain  effort  to  do  it  as  gracefully  as  possible.  These  were  thril- 
ling times  in  the  annals  of  the  Junta,  when  Kubens,  Palma  and  Captain 
O'Brien  were  regularly  followed  to  and  from  their  homes  to  their  head- 
quarters. These  were  good  times,  too,  for  the  American  detective 
agency.  But  all  this  was  mere  clumsy  work,  more  of  an  annoyance 
than  anything  else,  and  scarcely  any  hindrance  to  the  shipping  of  arms 
and  stores'  when  the  Junta  was  fortunate  enough  to  have  the  arms  and 
stores  to  ship. 

But  after  the  declaration  of  war,  the  spy  question  assumed  an  aspect 
as  serious  as  it  was  unlocked  for.  Spain  worked  silently,  secretly  and 
through  one  of  the  best-handled  branches  of  her  government  and  with 
all  the  Latins'  natural  love  of  intrigue.  She  no  longer  paid  much  heed 
to  Palma  or  Rubens,  or  to  Captain  O'Brien.  She  was  playing  a  bigger 
game.  American  detectives  no  longer  represented  her  interests  here — 
an  impossibility  under  existing  conditions,  of  course.  Under  Polo  was 
established  a  most  complete  department  of  espionage,  which  he  con- 
trolled from  the  refuge  Canada  offered  him. 

The  gathering  together  of  information  and  those  facts  which  usually 
concern  the  operation  of  secret  sendee  of  civilized  countries  seemed  to 
be  a  side  issue  with  this  particular  department.  The  scope  of  its  opera- 


DIPLOMATIC   RELATIONS   TERMINATE, 
tions  was  along  different  lines  from  those  usually  followed  by  the  mere 

spy. 

Polo's  intention  appeared  to  be  to  carry  the  war  into  America  in  a 
new  and  startling  manner — startling,  because  his  movements  could  not 
be  seen  or  foretold  until  the  blow  was  struck.  He  made  use  of  the  corps 
under  his  control  to  place  the  bomb  of  the  anarchist  and  apply  the 
torch  of  the  incendiary  under  our  arsenals  and  to  those  buildings  where 
the  government  stored  its  supplies  for  the  army  and  navy. 

For  a  time  he  was  successful  in  his  cowardly  scheming  and  his  em- 
issaries celebrated  his  success  with  many  tons  of  good  American  gun- 
powder, and  at  the  cost  of  some  good  American  lives.  Bombs  were 
found  in  the  coal  reserved  for  use  aboard  our  men-of-war.  They  were 
even  taken  from  the  coal  bunkers  of  our  ships  and  they  were  found  in 
certain  of  the  government  buildings  at  Washington.  Indeed,  the  situa- 
tion became  so  serious  that  finally  strangers  were  not  allowed  to  visit  a 
man-of-war  or  enter  a  fort. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  there  are  in  America  thousands  of  Span- 
iards who,  unless  they  commit  some  overt  act  of  violence,  can  enjoy  all 
the  privileges  accorded  to  a  citizen.  This,  together  with  our  mixed  pop- 
ulation, in  many  quarters  made  up  largely  of  the  peoples  of  Southern 
Europe,  all  more  or  less  of  one  type,  all  speaking  languages  which,  to  un- 
trained ears  at  least,  are  almost  identical  one  with  the  other,  gave  the 
Spanish  spy  in  America  a  protection  and  freedom  from  suspicion  and 
surveillance  he  would  hardly  meet  with  in  any  other  country,  and  which, 
by  the  inverse,  offered  no  opportunity  for  the  American  spy  in  Spain, 
had  we  chosen  to  make  use  of  the  same  methods. 

Playing  a  Desperate  Game. 

These  Spaniards  were  playing  a  desperate  game,  however.  It  was 
literally  at  the  peril  of  their  necks,  for  should  a  man  be  apprehended, 
there  would  be  no  possibility  of  escaping  the  ignominious  death  that 
usually  awaits  on  such  services.  Sobral  was  allowed  to  go,  though 
there  was  no  question  but  that  his  conduct  was  so  incriminating  that  he 
was  liable  to  arrest,  trial,  and,  if  convicted,  death,  had  this  country 
cared  to  hold  him.  His  fate  abroad  would  be  easy  to  foretell.  His  guilt 
was  almost  as  great  as  that  which  brought  Major  Andre  to  his  death  in 
the  times  of  the  Revolution. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 
FIRST  GUNS  AND  FIRST  PRIZES  OF  THE  WAR. 

Capture  of  the  LaFayette — The  Government  Orders  Her  Release — Towing 
Prizes  Into  Key  West — The  Spanish  Set  a  Trap — The  Vicksburg  and 
the  Morrill  Take  the  Bait — The  Spanish  Gunners  Poor  Marksmen — 
Another  Narrow  Escape. 

Shortly  after  the  proclamation  of  the  blockade  of  Cuban  ports  a  cap- 
ture was  made  which  threatened  international  complications.  The 
French  mail  steamer  LaFayette  was  held  up  almost  under  the  guns  of 
Morro  Castle. 

The  Annapolis  hailed  her  in  the  harbor  offing  and  receiving  no  an- 
swer but  a  show  of  the  French  tricolor  plumped  a  six-pounder  across 
her  bows  and  brought  her  up  standing. 

Prayers  and  Tears  in  Staterooms. 

Of  the  161  cabin  passengers  on  the  steamer  eighty  were  women  and 
children.  They  locked  themselves  in  the  staterooms  when  the  warning 
shot  was  fired  and  the  Annapolis  and  Wilmington  approached,  and  gave 
themselves  up  to  prayers  and  tears. 

Most  of  the  passengers  were  Spaniards  or  Cubans,  and  there  were  a 
few  Mexicans.  Nearly  all  were  bound  for  Havana. 

The  steamer  was  filled  to  the  hatches  with  medicines,  provisions, 
wines  and  cotton  goods  consigned  to  merchants  in  Havana  and  Vera 
Cruz,  Mexico.  It  is  estimated  that  the  value  of  the  ship's  cargo  was 
nearly  $500,000.  Her  net  tonnage  is  4,000  tons.  She  hails  from  San- 
tan  der,  France,  and  cleared  from  Corunna,  Spain,  April  23,  two  days 
after  the  President  issued  the  blockade  proclamation,  although  Captain 
Lechapelane  declared  he  was  not  notified. 

As  soon  as  official  notice  of  her  capture  reached  Washington  tele- 
grams were  sent  ordering  immediate  release. 

The  explanation  for  this  action  on  the  part  of  the  administration  is 
given  in  the  statement  which  follows  and  which  was  issued  from  the 
White  House: 

"The  LaFayette  was  released  in  pursuance  of  orders  which  were  is- 
sued by  the  Navy  Department  previous  to  her  seizure,  but  which  had  not 

961 


362  FIRST    GUNS   AND    FIRST   PRIZES  OF   THE   WAR, 

been  received  by  the  commanding  officers  of  the  vessels  that  made  the 
capture.  The  facts  are  that  on  April  29  the  French  Embassy  made  an 
informal  inquiry  as  to  whether  the  LaFayette,  which  left  Saint  Nazaire, 
France,  for  Vera  Cruz,  by  way  of  Havana,  before  war  was  declared  or  in- 
formation of  the  blockade  was  received,  would  be  allowed  to  land  at  Ha- 
vana certain  passengers,  her  mail  bags  and  the  dispatch  bag  of  the  Con- 
sulate-General of  France  and  take  some  French  passengers  on  board. 
An  assurance  wras  given  that,  if  this  privilege  should  be  granted,  the 
steamer  would  be  forbidden  by  the  Franch  Consul  to  land  goods. 

"The  matter  was  duly  considered  and  it  was  decided  that,  without 
regard  to  the  strict  law  of  blockade  and  as  an  act  of  courtesy,  the  re- 
quest of  the  French  Government  should  be  acceded  to.  Orders  were  ac- 
cordingly sent  on  the  2d  of  May.  When  information  wTas  received  of 
the  capture  of  the  steamer  and  of  her  having  been  brought  to  Key  West, 
these  orders  were  communicated  to  the  captors,  with  instructions  to  re- 
lease the  steamer  and  see  that  the  orders  were  duly  delivered,  so  that 
they  might  be  carried  into  effect.  No  demand  was  made,  either  by  or  on 
behalf  of  the  French  Government,  directly  or  indirectly,  for  the  steam- 
er's release.  The  Wilmington,  will  escort  the  LaFayette  to  Havana  to- 
night." 

On  May  8th  the  British  tramp  steamer  Strathdee,  Captain  Currie,  at- 
tempted to  run  the  blockade,  but  was  overhauled  by  the  gunboat  Ma- 
chias.  The  Captain  of  the  Strathdee  claimed  that  the  vessel  was  loaded 
with  sugar  and  that  he  had  on  board  a  number  of  Spanish  refugees  from 
Sagua  la  Grande.  He  also  said  that  the  steamer  was  bound  for  Matan- 
zas,  where  it  was  desired  to  disembark  some  of  the  refugees.  The  com- 
mander of  the  Machias  was  skeptical  of  the  story,  however,  and  warned 
the  Captain  of  the  Strathdee  that  if  he  attempted  to  take  the  vessel  into 
Matanzas  she  would  be  fired  on,  whereupon  the  Strathdee  put  about  and 
steamed  away  in  the  direction  of  New  York. 

Three   Small  Prizes  Towed  into  Key  West. 

Three  prizes  were  brought  in  May  9th.  They  were  the  brigantinc  Lo- 
renzo, taken  by  the  Montgomery  near  Havana,  on  Friday,  while  bound 
for  Eio  de  la  Plata  with  a  cargo  of  dried  beef. 

The  Espana,  a  little  fishing  sloop,  was  taken  by  the  Merrill  about 
three  miles  off  Mariel  just  after  a  sharp  engagement.  The  Newport  was 
close  at  hand  at  the  time,  and  a  prize  crew  made  up  from  both  ships 
brought  the  capture  in. 


FIRST   GUNS   AND   FIRST   PRIZES  OF   THE   WAR.  363 

The  third  vessel  taken  was  the  schooner  Padre  de  Dios,  Master  Mateo 
Herrera,  laden  with  fish.  It  was  taken  by  the  Newport  off  Mariel,  and 
was  brought  in  by  a  petty  officer  and  a  prize  crew.  All  three  accepted 
one  blank  shot  apiece  as  sufficient. 

Making  Her  Prize  Work  as  Towboat. 

One  captive  was  seen  taking  another  to  port  on  the  morning  of  May 
9th.  Both  are  prizes  of  the  gunboat  Newport,  and  were  captured  be- 
tween Mariel  and  Havana. 

It  was  about  sunrise,  just  after  an  inexplicable  shot  had  been  fired 
from  a  Havana  battery,  that  a  dispatch  boat  off  Morro  Castle  sighted 
the  Newport  with  a  big  Norwegian  tramp  steamer,  the  Bratsberg,  fol- 
lowing obediently.  Suddenly  the  Newport's  stack  blew  clouds  of  black 
smoke,  and,  looking  for  the  cause,  a  pretty  two-masted  schooner  was 
seen,  her  sails  wing  and  wing,  flying  from  the  northwest  for  Havana. 

A  blank  shot  sounded  over  the  waters.  The  schooner  stood  no 
chance,  but  she  kept  her  course  until  a  solid  six-pounder  from  the  New- 
port skimmed  across  to  her,  and  dropped  ahead  of  the  bowsprit.  Then 
she  dropped  her  jib  and  came  about  quickly,  sailing  toward  the  warship, 
as  one  has  seen  a  dog  run  to  his  master  at  the  snap  of  a  lash.  She  was 
the  Fernandito,  avaricious  of  the  bounty  Captain-General  Blanco  offered 
for  fish  delivered  to  hungry  Havana.  A  line  was  put  aboard  her,  and  the 
Bratsberg  was  compelled  to  take  the  other  end  and  go  to  Key  West. 

The  Spanish  set  a  trap  one  day  during  the  blockade.  The  wily  Span- 
iards arranged  a  trap  to  send  a  couple  of  our  ships  to  the  bottom.  A 
small  schooner  was  sent  out  from  Havana  harbor  to  draw  some  of  the 
Americans  into  the  ambuscade.  The  ruse  worked  like  a  charm.  The 
Vicksburg  and  the  Morrill,  in  the  heat  of  the  chase  and  in  their  contempt 
for  Spanish  gunnery,  walked  straight  into  the  trap  that  had  bepn  set  for 
them.  Had  the  Spaniards  possessed  their  souls  in  patience  but  five  min- 
utes longer,  not  even  their  bad  gun  practice  would  have  saved  our  ships, 
and  two  more  of  our  vessels  would  lie  at  the  bottom  within  two  lengths 
of  the  wreck  of  the  ill-starred  Maine. 

Friday  evening  the  Vicksburg  and  the  Morrill,  cruising  to  the  west 
of  Morro  Castle,  were  fired  on  by  the  big  guns  of  the  Cojimar  batteries. 
Two  shots  were  fired  at  the  Vicksburg  and  one  at  the  Morrill.  Both  fell 
short,  and  both  vessels,  without  returning  the  fire,  steamed  out  of  range. 
It  would  have  been  folly  to  have  done  otherwise.  But  this  time  the 
Spaniards  had  better  luck.  The  schooner  they  had  sent  out  before  day- 


364  FIRST   GUNS   AND   FIRST   PRIZES  OF   THE  WAR. 

light  ran  off  to  the  eastward,  hugging  the  shore,  with  the  wind  on  her 
starboard  quarter.  About  three  miles  east  of  the  entrance  to  the  har- 
bor she  came  over  on  the  port  tack.  A  light  haze  fringed  the  horizon  and 
she  was  not  discovered  until  three  miles  off  shore,  when  the  Mayflower* 
made  her  out  and  signaled  the  Morrill  and  Vicksburg. 

They  Take  the  Bait. 

Captain  Smith,  of  the  Morrill,  and  Commander  Lilly,  of  the  Vicks- 
burg, immediately  slapped  on  all  steam  and  started  in  pursuit.  The 
schooner  instantly  put  about  and  ran  for  Morro  Castle  before  the  wind. 
By  doing  so  she  would,  according  to  the  well-conceived  Spanish  plot, 
lead  the  two  American  warships  directly  under  the  guns  of  the  Santa 
Clara  batteries.  These  works  are  a  short  mile  west  of  Morro,  and  are 
a  part  of  the  defenses  of  the  harbor.  There  are  two  batteries,  one  at  the 
shore,  which  has  been  recently  thrown  up,  of  sand  and  mortar,  with  wide 
embrasures  for  eight-inch  guns,  and  the  other  on  the  crest  of  the  rocky 
eminence  which  juts  out  into  the  water  of  the  gulf  at  the  point. 

The  upper  battery  mounts  modern  10-inch  and  12-inch  Krupp  guns 
behind  a  six-foot  stone  parapet,  in  front  of  which  are  twenty  feet  of 
earthwork  and  a  belting  of  railroad  iron.  This  battery  is  considered  the 
most  formidable  of  Havana's  defenses  except  Morro  Castle.  It  is  masked 
and  has  not  been  absolutely  located  by  the  American  warships.  It  is 
probably  due  to  the  fact  that  the  Spanish  did  not  desire  to  expose  its 
position  that  the  Vicksburg  and  Morrill  are  now  afloat. 

'The  Morrill  and  Vicksburg  were  about  six  miles  from  the  schooner 
when  the  chase  began.  They  steamed  after  her  at  full  speed,  the  Morrill 
leading  until  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  Santa  Clara  batteries. 
Commander  Smith,  of  the  Vicksburg,  was  the  first  to  realize  the  danger 
into  wThich  the  reckless  pursuit  had  led  them.  He  concluded  it  was 
time  to  haul  off  and  sent  a  shot'  across  the  bow  of  the  schooner. 

Nearly  Hit  by  Shrapnel  Shells. 

The  Spanish  skipper  instantly  brought  his  vessel  about,  but  while  she 
was  still  rolling  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  with  her  sails  flapping,  an  8-inch 
shrapnel  shell  came  hurtling  through  the  air  from  the  water  battery,  a 
mile  and  a  half  away.  It  passed  over  the  Morrill  between  the  pilot- 
house and  the  smokestack  and  exploded  less  than  fifty  feet  on  the  port 
quarter.  The  small  shot  rattled  against  her  side.  It  was  a  close  call. 


FIRST    GUNS   AND    FIRST   PRIZES  OF   THE   WAR.  365 

Two  more  shots  followed  in  quick  succession,  both  shrapnel.  One 
burst  close  under  the  starboard  quarter,  filling  the  engine  room  with 
the  smoke  of  the  explosion  of  the  shell,  and  the  other,  like  the  first, 
passed  over  and  exploded  just  beyond. 

The  Spanish  gunners  had  the  range  and  their  time  fuses  were  ac- 
curately set.  The  creAvs  of  both  ships  were  at  their  guns.  Lieutenant 
Craig,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  bow  4-inch  rapid-fire  gun  of  the  Morrill, 
asked  for  and  obtained  permission  to  return  the  fire.  At  the  first  shot 
the  Vicksburg,  which  was  in  the  wake  of  the  Merrill,  slightly  in-shore, 
sheered  off  and  passed  to  windward  under  the  MorrilPs  stern. 

Another  Narrow  Escape. 

In  the  meantime,  Captain  Smith  also  put  his  helm  to  port,  and  was 
none  too  soon,  for  as  the  Morrill  stood  off  a  solid  8-inch  shot  grazed  her 
starboard  quarter  and  kicked  up  tons  of  w~ater  as  it  struck  a  wave  100 
yards  beyond.  Captain  Smith  said  afterward  that  this  was  undoubtedly 
an  8-inch  armor-piercing  projectile,  and  that  it  would  have  passed 
through  the  MorrilPs  boilers  had  he  not  changed  his  course  in  the  nick 
of  time. 

All  the  guns  of  the  water  battery  were  now  at  work.  One  of  them 
cut  the  Jacob's  ladder  of  the  Vicksburg  adrift,  and  another  carried  away 
a  portion  of  the  rigging.  As  the  Mprrill  and  the  Vicksburg  steamed 
away  their  aft  guns  were  used,  but  only  a  few  shots  were  fired.  The 
MorrilPs  6-inch  gun  was  elevated  for  4,000  yards  and  struck  the  earth- 
works repeatedly.  The  Vicksburg  fired  but  three  shots  from  her 
6-pounder. 

The  'Spaniards  continued  to  fire  shot  and  shell  for  twenty  minutes, 
but  the  shots  were  ineffective.  Some  of  them  were  so  wild  that  they 
roused  the  American  "Jackies"  to  jeers.  The  Spaniards  only  ceased  fir- 
ing when  the  Morrill  and  Vicksburg  were  completely  out  of  range. 

If  all  the  Spanish  gunners  had  been  suffering  from  strabismup  their 
practice  could  not  have  been  worse.  But  the  officers  of  both  the  Morrill 
and  Vicksburg  frankly  admit  their  own  recklessness  and  the  narrow  es- 
cape of  their  vessels  from  destruction.  They  are  firmly  convinced  that 
the  pursuit  of  the  schooner  was  a  neatly  planned  trick,  which  almost 
proved  successful. 

If  any  one  of  the  shots  had  struck  the  thin  skin  of  either  vessel  it 
wrould  have  offered  no  more  resistance  than  a  piece  of  paper  to  a  rifle 
ball. 


366  FIRST  GUNS  AND  FIRST   PRIZES  OF  THE   WAR. 

The  accurate  range  of  the  first  few  shots  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact 
that  the  Spanish  officers  had  ample  time  to  make  observations.  The 
bearings  of  the  two  vessels  were  probably  taken  with  a  range-finder  at 
the  Santa  Clara  battery,  and,  as  this  battery  is  probably  connected  by 
wire  with  Morro,  they  were  able  to  take  bearings  from  both  points,  and 
by  laborious  calculations  they  fixed  the  positions  of  the  vessels  pretty 
accurately.  With  such  opportunity  for  observation  it  would  have  been 
no  great  trick  for  an  American  gunner  to  drop  a  shell  down  the  smoke- 
stack of  a  vessel. 

As  soon  as  the  ships  sheered  off  after  the  first  fire,  the  Spanish  gun- 
ners lost  the  range  and  their  practice  became  ludicrous.  If  they  had 
waited  five  minutes  longer  before  opening  fire,  Captain  Smith  says  it 
would  haye  been  well-nigh  impossible  to  have  missed  the  target. 

Prior  to  the  invasion  of  Cuba  by  our  army  large  stores  of  arms  and 
ammunition  were  sent  to  the  insurgents.  One  of  the  most  notable  of 
these  expeditions  was  made  by  the  tug  Leyden,  which  carried  50,000 
rounds  of  rifle  cartridges  and  two  chests  of  dynamite.  She  left  Key 
West  with  Colonel  Acosta  and  some  twenty-five  other  Cubans  on  board, 
who  were  to  join  General  Gomez  in  Santa  Clara  Province.  The  tug 
reached  the  Cuban  coast  and  after  landing  her  passengers  in  safety 
steamed  to  a  point  seventeen  miles  west  of  Havana,  where  she  was  met 
by  General  Perico  Delgado  with  about  100  Cubans  on  the  beach.  The 
Leyden's  crew  began  landing  the  ammunition,  when  a  small  body  of 
Spanish  cavalry  appeared  some  little  distance  back  from  the  shore,  and, 
dismounting,  began  firing  upon  the  Leyden.  Several  bullets  had  pene- 
trated the  tug's  smoke-stack,  when  the  boat  drew  off  the  shore  some 
three  miles,  where  it  met  the  gunboat  Wilmington. 

Returning  under  the  protection  of  the  gunboat,  the  Leyden  again 
began  landing  its  cargo.  The  Spaniards  soon  returned,  and,  ignoring 
a  lively  fusillade  from  Degaldo's  insurgents,  resumed  their  attack  on 
the  Leyden.  The  Wilmington,  which  had  taken  up  a  position  further 
off  shore,  sent  a  three-pound  shell  into  the  midst  of  the  cavalry,  wound- 
ing several  of  them  and  putting  them  to  flight.  The  Leyden  then  fin- 
ished the  work  of  landing  the  ammunition,  and  returned  to  Key  West. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 
DECLARATION  OF  WAR. 

The  Spanish  Minister  in  Washington  Demands  His  Passports  —  Minister 
Woodford  Leaves  Madrid — Formal  Declaration  of  War — Our  Govern- 
ment Declares  Its  Intentions — The  War  Feeling  in  Spain — Effect  of 
the  Declaration  in  Cuba — Opinion  of  the  Vice-President  of  the  Cuban 
Republic. 

Spain  was  given  until  Saturday,  April  23,  at  noon,  to  answer  the 
demand  of  our  government  expressed  in.  the  joint  Cuban  resolutions, 
passed  by  both  Houses  of  Congress,  and  signed  by  the  President.  In 
default  of  an  answer  by  that  time,  the  President  declared  his  intention 
to  carry  out  the  purpose  of  the  ultimatum.  A  copy  of  this  ultimatum 
was  delivered  to  Senor  Polo,  the  Spanish  Minister  at  Washington.  Senor 
Polo  instantly  demanded  his  passports,  declared  all  diplomatic  relations 
between  himself  as  Minister  and  the  United  States  no  longer  possible, 
and  within  a  few  hours  was  on  his  way  to  Canada. 

At  Madrid,  before  our  Minister  could  comply  with  his  instructions, 
he  was  notified  by  the  Spanish  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  that  diplo- 
matic relations  were  at  an  end.  He  at  once  asked  for  his  passports,  and 
the  same  day  left  for  Paris. 

President  McKinley  rightly  regarded  the  conduct  of  Spain  in  break- 
ing off  diplomatic  intercourse  and  refusing  even  to  receive  his  demand, 
as  an  equivalent  to  an  absolute  refusal.  There  remained  no  reason  to 
await  action  till  Saturday  noon,  as  no  possible  reply  could  be  expected 
to  a  demand  the  very  presentation  of  which  had  been  positively  rejected. 
In  short,  Spain  instantly  showed  that  it  regarded  the  act  of  Congress 
and  President  as  practically  a  declaration  of  war,  and  there  remained 
no  resort  except  to  arms. 

On  Monday,  April  25,  the  President  sent  to  Congress  a  message 
asking  for  a  joint  resolution  declaring  that  a  state  of  war  existed 
between  Spain  and  the  United  States,. and  a  bill  was  at  once  introduced 
into  the  House  declaring  that  war  did  exist,  and  had  existed,  since  and 
including  April  21,  which  passed  in  less  than  two  minutes.  The  Senate 
promptly  concurred  and  the  bill  became  a  law. 

367 


3(58  DECLARATION  OF   WAE. 

While  the  United  States  was  not  a  party  to  the  Declaration  of  Paris, 
the  government  made  known  its  intention  to  maintain  its  four  cardinal 
principles:  (1)  Privateering  abolished,  (2)  Neutral  flags  to  exempt 
an  enemy's  goods  from  capture,  except  contraband  of  war.  (3)  Neutral 
goods  under  an  enemy's  flag  not  to  be  seized  (4)  Blockade  to  be  bind- 
ing must  be  effective.  Spain,  on  her  part,  issued  a  decree  recognizing  the 
fact  that  a  state  of  war  existed,  breaking  off  all  treaties  with  the  United 
States,  and  promising  to  observe  the  rules  just  given,  except  that  she 
maintained  her  right  to  grant  letters  of  marque  to  privateers.  But  this 
exception  was  modified  by  Spain's  declaring  her  intention  to  send  out 
only  auxiliary  cruisers  taken  from  the  mercantile  marine  and  kept 
under  naval  control.  One  consideration  which  may  have  influenced  this 
decision  was  the  self-evident  fact  that  the  European  Powers  would  cer- 
tainly interfere,  in  the  event  that  Spain  attempted  to  carry  on  privateer- 
ing under  the  old  methods. 

The  War  Feeling  in  Spain. 

In  Spain  the  war  feeling  was  high.  The  Queen  Kegent,  in  her  speech 
to  the  Cortes,  declared  "the  unalterable  resolution  of  my  government  to 
defend  our  rights,  whatsoever  sacrifices  may  be  imposed  upon  us  in 
accomplishing  this  task."  She  said  further: 

"Thus  identifying  myself  with  the  nation,  I  not  only  fulfil  the  oath  I 
swore  in  accepting  the  regency,  but  I  follow  the  dictates  of  a  mother's 
heart,  trusting  to  the  Spanish  people  to  gather  behind  my  son's  throne 
and  to  defend  it  until  he  is  old  enough  to  defend  it  himself,  as  well  as 
trusting  to  the  Spanish  people  to  defend  the  honor  and  territory  of  the 
nation." 

The  Policy  of  the  Administration. 

The  President  and  Congress  undoubtedly  acted  on  the  lines  of  good 
policy  in  making  a  formal  declaration  of  war.  As  Mr.  McKinley  said  in 
his  message  to  Congress,  the  trend  of  events  compelled  him  to  take  meas- 
ures of  a  hostile  kind.  A  blockade  had  been  established  and  Spanish 
vessels  had  been  captured.  While  every  civilized  power  on  earth  imme- 
diately learned  the  facts,  there  still  remained  the  necessity  of  going 
through  the  formal  act  of  notifying  them  of  this  government's  inten- 
tions. In  this  instance,  as  in  others  in  the  nation's  history,  the  actual 
hostilities  were  begun  before  it  seemed  necessary  for  the  government  to 
make  a  formal  declaration.  According  to  the  authorities  on  interna- 
tional law,  "a  declaration  may  be  necessary,  but  is  not  essential."  In 


From  Photo.     Copyright  1891  by  H.  G.  Peabody,  Boston,  Mass. 

THE  UNITED  STATES  PROTECTED  CRUISER  "CHICAGO" 

Thickness  of  protective  deck  is  \%  inches.    Speed,  15  knots 


DECLARATION   OF   WAR.  371 

this  case,  when  it  became  so  evident  that  a  general  conflict  was  immi- 
nent, the  administration  did  fairly  by  the  commercial  nations  of  the 
world  in  formally  stating  its  position,  and  giving  them  all  warning  as 
to  the  consequences  which  might  follow  in  the  case  of  vessels  attempting 
to  enter  Cuban  waters. 

The  resolutions  were  admirably  brief  and  concise,  merely  declaring 
the  existence  of  a  state  of  war,  and  authorizing  the  President  to  do  what- 
ever he  thought  best  with  the  army  and  the  navy. 

By  this  act,  while  the  situation  was  in  itself  no  way  changed,  the 
nation  assumed  a  definite  diplomatic  status  as  a  power  at  war,  and  was 
free  to  proceed  to  any  such  acts  as  came  within  the  laws  of  civilized 
nations  in  time  of  war. 

Effect  of  the  Declaration  in  Cuba. 

When  the  news  of  the  action  of  the  administration  reached  the  in- 
surgents in  Cuba  it  caused  great  rejoicing  among  them,  for  they  felt 
that  the  hour  of  their  deliverance  was  at  last  at  hand.  In  speaking  of 
it,  Dr.  Capote,  Vice-President  of  the  Cuban  Republic,  said : 

I  desire  to  thank  the  great  American  people  and  their  government  for  the 
resolution  they  have  made  to  free  us  from  the  tyrannical  rule  of  Spain.  The 
people  of  Cuba  believe  in  the  good  faith  of  the  people  of  America.  They  be- 
lieve in  their  honesty  of  purpose  to  free  Cuba  and  are  confident  of  their  ability 
to  do  so;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  loadstar  of  the  Cuban  is  not 
merely  freedom  from  the  dominion  of  Spain,  but  independence  from  outside 
control,  however  beneficent  that  control  might  be,  and  absolute  non-interfer- 
ence by  others  in  the  management  of  our  own  affairs.  "Cuba  free  and  inde- 
pendent" is  the  watchword  of  Cuban  liberty. 

The  Cuban  commanders  await  some  decisive  step  on  the  part  of  your  gen- 
erals. If  you  can  open  up  and  maintain  communication  with  the  Cuban  armies, 
and  give  us  a  plentiful  supply  of  arms  and  ammunition,  we  will  free  Cuba  with- 
out the  loss  of  an  American  soldier.  Our  position  on  'the  field  is  precarious. 
For  lack  of  supplies,  we  cannot  concentrate  our  troops.  Our  camps  shift  from 
place  to  place,  according  to  food  conditions.  We  are  hampered  and  embar- 
rassed for  lack  of  ammunition.  We  cannot  arm  the  men  we  are  able  to  put  in , 
the  field.  Open  up  communication,  give  us  arms  and  supplies,  and  we  ask  no 
more. 

As  to  the  eventual  settlement  of  the  island,  when  the  war  is  ended  and 
when  the  last  Spanish  soldier  has  left  Cuba,  the  work  of  the  provisional  gov- 
ernment will  be  ended.  The  people  of  Cuba,  whatever  the  class  or  sympathy, 
will  then  say  how  we  shall  be  governed.  There  will  be  no  reprisals,  no  confis- 
cation, no  distinctions. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 
CALL  FO&  THE  NATIONAL  GUARD,  OUR  CITIZEN  SOLDIERY. 

Enthusiastic  Answer  to  the  Call — Requirements  of  the  War  Department— 
Who  May  Enlist — How  the  Army  was  Formed — In  the  Training  Camps 
— The  American  Makes  the  Best  Soldier — The  "Rough  Riders" — Cow- 
boys and  Society  Men — Their  Uniforms  and  Their  Weapons — Their 
Fighting  Leaders. 

If  all  the  men  who  showed  a,  desire  to  answer  the  call  to  arms  had 
been  accepted,  no  nation  in  the  world  could  have  boasted  of  a  larger 
army.  The  demand  was  so  limited  and  the  supply  so  great  that  many 
more  had  to  be  refused  than  were  accepted,  and  many  of  the  National 
Guard,  who  were  given  the  preference  in  all  the  States,  were  rejected  at 
the  final  examination,  because  they  lacked  some  of  the  qualifications 
necessary  in  a  soldier  of  the  United  States. 

According  to  the  requirements  of  the  war  department  applicants  for 
enlistment  must  be  between  the  ages  of  18  and  35  years,  of  good  charac- 
ter and  habits,  able-bodied,  free  from  disease  and  must  be  able  to  speak 
the  English  language.  If  one  is  addicted  to  the  bad  habit  of  smoking 
cigarettes  it  is  quite  likely  that  he  will  not  pass  the  physical  examinar 
tion.  A  man  who  has  been  a  heavy  drinker  is  apt  to  be  rejected  without 
ceremony. 

Married  men  will  only  be  enlisted  upon  the  approval  of  the  regi- 
mental commander. 

Minors  must  not  be  enlisted  without  the  written  consent  of  father, 
only  surviving  parent,  or  legally  appointed  guardian.  Original  enlist- 
ment will  be  confined  to  persons  who  are  citizens  of  the  United  States  or 
'  who  have  made  legal  declaration  of  their  intention  to  become  citizens 
thereof. 

These  requirements  fulfilled  a  man  is  permitted  to  take  the  physical 
examination.  Few  understand  just  how  rigid  this  examination  is. 
Many  have  been  rejected  who  thought  that  they  were  in  perfect  physical 
condition.  A  number  of  applicants  who  were  confident  that  they  would 
be  allowed  to  enlist  were  rejected  by  the  physicians  on  account  of  vari- 

372 


CALL  FOK  THE   NATIONAL   GUARD.  373 

cose  veins.  Varicose  veins  are  enlarged  veins  which  are  apt  to  burst 
under  the  stress  of  long  continued  exertion.  Closely  allied  to  this  is 
varieocele,  which  threw  out  a  surprisingly  large  proportion  of  the 
National  Guard  and  the  recruits. 

After  a  man  is  weighed  and  his  height  taken,  he  is  turned  over  to  the 
doctor,  who  places  the  applicant's  hands  above  his  head  and  proceeds  to 
feel  his  flesh.  If  it  is  soft  and  of  flabby  fiber  the  physician  is  not  well 
pleased  and  if  he  finds  that  the  bones  are  too  delicate  for  the  amount 
of  flesh  he  turns  the  applicant  down.  Fat  men,  however,  get  through 
if  their  bones  are  solid  and  there  is  no  organic  weakness  of  any  descrip- 
tion. To  discover  the  condition  of  the  heart  the  applicant  is  made  to 
hop  about  five  yards  on  one  foot  and  back  again  on  the  other.  The  doc- 
tor then  listens  to  the  beating  of  the  heart.  He  lifts  his  head  and  says 
to  some  apparently  fine-looking  specimen  of  manhood  the  simple  word: 

"Rejected." 

This  man  has  heart  trouble,  and,  strange  to  say,  he  does  not  know  it. 
If  a  man  be  of  a  pale  complexion  or  rather  sallow,  the  doctors  will  ques- 
tion him  with  regard  to  his  stomach.  Of  course  the  lungs  are  thoroughly 
tested.  It  is  not  often,  however,  that  any  one  presents  himself  who  is 
suffering  from  lung  trouble.  One  man  in  particular  was  rejected 
because  of  the  formation  of  his  chest.  He  was  what  is  commonly  known 
as  "pigeon-breasted."  The  doctors  said  that  there  was  not  enough  room 
for  air  in  the  lungs,  and  yet  the  rejected  applicant  was  a  wrell-known 
athlete. 

But  after  all  organic  centers  have  been  found  in  excellent  condition 
several  things  yet  remain  to  be  tested.  A  man's  feet  must  not  blister 
easily.  His  teeth  must  be  good,  because  bad  teeth  interfere  with  diges- 
tion and  are  apt  to  develop  stomach  troubles.  Of  course  other  things 
taken  into  consideration  a  particular  defect  may  be  overlooked  accord- 
ing to  the  discretion  of  the  doctor.  A  man  with  his  index  finger  gone 
stands  no  show. 

A  bow-legged  man  will  be  accepted,  but  a  knocked-kneed  man  rarely. 

The  final  test  is  of  the  eyes.  At  a  distance  of  twenty  feet  one  must 
be  able  to  read  letters  a  half  inch  in  size.  Many  tricks  were  played  to 
read  the  letters  when  the  eager  candidate  could  see  only  a  blur  before 
him.  The  favorite  method  was  to  memorize  the  letters  from  those  who 
had  taken  the  examination  and  knew  in  just  what  order  the  letters  were 
situated. 


374  CALL  FOR  THE  NATIONAL  GUARD 


How  an  Army  Is  Formed. 

The  making  of  an  army — that  is  what  it  means  to  turn  men  of  peace 
to  men  of  war,  to  fit  the  mechanic  or  the  business  man,  the  farmer  or 
the  miner,  for  a  passage  at  arms  with  a  foreign  foe — has  been  for  the 
present  generation  a  matter  of  conjecture  and  of  lessons  drawn  from 
previous  passages  in  the  nation's  chronicles.  In  our  war  with  Spain  it 
became  a  fact,  and  the  progress  made  in  the  various  stages  forms  a  chap- 
ter in  the  public  history  which  is  as  interesting  as  any  of  those  conquests 
of  either  peace  or  war  which  brighten  for  every  American  the  pages  of 
the  achievements  of  the  Union  of  the  States. 

It  is  impossible  to  tell  just  how  an  army  is  made.  During  the  long 
debates  which  preceded  the  declaration  of  war,  eloquent  men  on  both 
sides  of  the  chambers  of  Congress  pictured  the  strength  of  American 
arms,  the  shrillness  of  the  scream  of  the  eagle,  and  the  sharpness  of  his 
talons,  and  applauding  galleries  saw  in  the  coming  combat  little  but 
the  calling  out  of  the  vast  body  of  the  reserve  strength  of  the  American 
people,  its  marching  upon  the  enemy,  and  return,  bearing  captured 
standards  and  leading  prisoners  in  chains,  to  the  music  of  the  applaud- 
ing nations,  and  the  thanksgiving  of  a  people  made  free  by  their  strug- 
gles. The  other  side  was  never  touched.  The  nights  of  toil  by  staff 
officers,  the  multiplied  forces  of  mills  and  factories,  the  shriek  of  the 
trains  crossing  the  continent,  bearing  men  and  munitions,  and  the  hours 
of  waiting  for  the  completion  of  those  warlike  implements  which  the 
peaceful  American  has  never  before  contemplated  in  the  expansion  of 
his  industrial  institutions,  were  entirely  overlooked. 

Not  by  all,  however,  for,  from  the  moment  the  conflict  seemed  inev- 
itable, stern-eyed  men  who  had  fought  before  began  to  count,  not  the 
cost,  but  the  hours  between  the  giving  of  an  order  and  its  fulfillment, 
between  the  calling  and  the  coming,  and  finally  when  the  results  of  their 
labors  were  completed  the  story  of  what  they  did  may  be  partly  told. 

All  the  processes  of  making  a  soldier  are  as  distinct  as  are  those 
which  mark  the  seed  time  and  the  harvest,  the  milling  and  the  making 
of  the  loaf.  It  can  be  readily  seen  that  in  a  country  where  the  standing 
army  is  but  25,000,  and  the  militia  forces  of  the  various  States  bears 
such  a  slight  proportion  to  the  population,  that  manufactures  of  mate- 
rials of  use  only  in  time  of  war  could  not  flourish.  Thus  it  was  that  at 
the  time  of  the  commencement  of  hostilities  there  was  available  in  the 


CALL  FOR  THE  NATIONAL   GUAED.  375 

United  States  equipment  for  an  army  of  less  than  one-fifth  the  size  of  that 
which  afterwards  took  the  field,  and  patriotism  and  fidelity  were  shown 
as  much  in  the  outfitting  of  that  force,  as  can  be  shown  in  actual  batt.le 
by  any  volunteer  or  regular  officer,  whether  he  be  posted  in  fort  or  field, 
and  win  glory  by  brilliant  dash,  or  simply  doing  his  duty  by  holding  his 
post. 

The  ready  response  to  the  President's  call  for  volunteers  was  suf- 
ficient to  prove  that  the  people  were  eager  to  take  up  arms  and  ready  to 
go  to  the  front.  But  enthusiasm,  patriotism  and  readiness  never  make 
an  army.  An  army  is  a  great  machine,  of  which  each  individual  is  a 
part,  and  there  even  the  militia  men  of  the  various  States,  who  had 
spent  so  much  time  in  preparing  themselves  for  just  such  a  struggle, 
lacked  the  one  great  element  without  which  no  army  can  hope  for  suc- 
cess: the  capacity  to  move  in  unison.  Few  of  the  States  had  given  their 
men  the  training  which  makes  of  the  simple  company  or  regiment  a 
wheel  in  the  brigade  or  division. 

In  the  great  camps  at  Ohickamauga,  at  Camp  Alger,  at  Tampa,  and 
at  San  Francisco  the  task  of  making  an  army  from  men  who  a  month 
before  had  been  working  in  the  store,  the  mill  or  the  field,  went  on.  This 
meant  long,  thorough  drilling  under  competent  instructors.  Careful 
study  of  the  tactics  and  intelligent  comprehension  of  the  meaning  of 
an  order  makes  the  soldier.  It  is  not  possible  to  imagine  anything  more 
difficult  than  the  thorough  training  of  the  arms  bearer,  and  for  this 
task  the  American  seems  better  fitted  than  the  men  of  any  other  country. 
In  an  analysis  of  the  soldiers  of  the  world  an  authority  would  place  the 
American,  combining  as  he  does  the  blood  of  nations,  at  the  head  of  the 
list,  for  the  reason  that  with  his  finer  sensibility,  his  greater  capacity  to 
think  while  acting  and  to  act  while  thinking,  all  tend  to  produce  in  him. 
that  character  capable  of  high  and  perfect  development  in  the  soldier. 

At  Chickamauga,  under  General  Wade;  at  Washington,  under  Gen- 
eral Graham;  at  Tampa,  under  General  Shafter;  at  San  Francisco, 
under  General  Merriam,  and  on  the  New  York  and  New  England  coasts 
under  brigadiers  who  had  served  East  and  West,  the  raw  material  was 
formed,  until  at  length  the  perfect  soldier  was  produced,  the  soldier  of 
whom  it  could  be  said: 

"Theirs  not  to  reason  why, 
Theirs  but  to  do  and  die." 


376  CALL  FOR  THE   NATIONAL   GUARD. 

About  the  Eough  Riders. 

Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  service  usually  re- 
quired of  cavalry  in  time  of  war  will  not  question  the  usefulness  of  the 
cowboy  regiment — rough  riders  as  they  are  called — that  were  raised  in 
the  West  to  take  part  in  the  invasion  of  Cuba. 

The  cowrboy  is  a  rapidly  passing  type.  Barbed  wire,  the  fencing  in 
of  the  range,  together  with  the  irrigation  and  cultivation  of  those 
regions  wrhich  were  once  marked  as  deserts  on  the  maps — have  been  re- 
sponsible for  his  undoing  and  he  has  made  what  may  prove  to  be  his  last 
stand,  as  a  soldier. 

The  cowboy  regiment  was  the  idea  of  the  assistant  secretary  of  the 
navy,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  who  had  had  some  experience  himself  as  a 
cowboy  on  his  Wyoming  ranch  and  who  was  an  expert  in  such  matters 
as  branding,  rope-throwing,  broncho  breaking  and  those  other  practices 
which  are  peculiar  to  the  "cow-puncher." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Roosevelt's  regiment,  which  figures  on  the  army 
records  as  the  "1st  regiment  of  rifle  rangers,"  but  which  the  general 
public  from  the  first  preferred  to  call  "Roosevelt's  rough  riders,"  or  more 
simply  still,  "Teddy's  terrors,"  was  made  up  almost  entirely  of  cowboys, 
with  a  small  sprinkling  of  society  men,  who  had  both  a  fondness  and  an 
aptitude  for  horsemanship,  which  had  found  no  other  outlet  than  that 
offered  by  the  hunting  field  and  the  polo  ground. 

Made  Up  Almost  Entirely  of  Cowboys. 

In  organization  the  regiment  wras  not  widely  different  from  the 
famous  Texas  Rangers,  but  the  uniform  was  the  same  as  that  of  the 
cavalrymen  of  the  regular  army,  slightly  modified.  Its  personnel,  with 
the  exception  of  the  millionaire  members — was  about  the  same,  however, 
as  that  of  the  Rangers.  It  included  men  from  almost  every  State  in  the 
Union,  and  they  could  one  and  all  ride  well,  and  shoot  well,  and  many  of 
them  smelled  powrder  in  more  than  one  Indian  war. 

While  Lieutenant-Colonel  Roosevelt  took  the  most  active  part  in  its 
formation,  he  did  not  command  the  regiment.  That  responsibility  was 
delegated  to  Colonel  Wood,  who  wras  almost  as  well  known  in  the  West 
as  Roosevelt  was  in  the  East.  He  entered  the  army  as  a.  surgeon,  but  he 
probably  had  much  more  to  do  with  the  making  of  wounds  than  their 
healing. 


CALL  FOR  THE  NATIONAL   GUARD.  377 

It  is  said  of  him  that  when  he  was  first  assigned  for  duty  to  an 
Arizona  post  he  arrived  at  the  post  one  night  at  7  o'clock,  and  the  next 
morning  at  4  was  in-  the  field  and  at  work.  This  was  during  the  Apache 
campaign  in  1885,  and  Surgeon  Wood  soon  won  for  himself  the  name  of 
the  fighting  doctor.  He  was  conspicuous  in  the  famous  Geronimo  out- 
break, having  command  at  various  times  of  the  infantry  and  scouts 
engaged  in  the  chase  after  that  wily  savage. 

The  regiment  was  armed  with  the  Krag-Jorgensen  carbine  and 
revolvers,  without  which  no  cowboy  would  be  complete  even  in  time  of 
peace.  And  instead  of  'the  regular  cavalry  swrord,  which  is  a  rather 
unwieldy  instrument  except  in  the  hands  of  men  trained  to  its  use,  the 
rough  riders  adopted  the  Cuban  machete,  which  even  the  inexperienced 
can  use  successfully;  but  it  was  not  intended  that  they  should  be  swords- 
men; their  reliance  was  on  the  rifle  and  revolver.  The  machete  was  car- 
ried merely  as  a  possible  dependence  should  ammunition  fail,  or  a  hand- 
to-hand  encounter  with  the  cavalry  of  the  enemy  occur.  In  the  develop- 
ment of  this  plan  of  action  it  can  be  seen  that  Colonel  Wood  and  Lieuten- 
ent-Colonel  Eoosevelt  in  the  tactics  they  employed  followed  closely  those 
used  by  the  mounted  riflemen  of  the  revolution.  It  was  a  band  of  this 
sort  that  after  a  ride  of  sixty  miles  the  last  day  met  and  utterly  routed 
the  English  under  Colonel  Ferguson. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

BLOCKADE  OF  CUBAN  PORTS. 

Contraband  of  War — Confiscation  of  Cargoes — Establishment  of  a  Blockade 
— Notice  to  Other  Nations — Prizes,  Lawful  and  Unlawful — Privateer- 
ing Abolished — Distribution  of  Prize  Money — The  Use  the  Govern- 
ment Makes  of  Its  Share. 

While  the  great  blockade  was  in  progress  the  air  was  full  of  talk 
about  "prizes,"  "contraband,"  "search,"  and  "seizure,"  and  some  of  the 
terms  proved  rather  puzzling  to  the  average  citizen  who  had  never  had 
occasion  to  study  the  rules  of  war. 

First  about  "contraband."  It  is  one  of  the  strictest  rules  of  war  that 
neutral  nations  must  not  interfere  nor  in  any  way  give  help  to  either 
party.  To  furnish  ships  or  arms  or  ammunition  might  greatly  prolong 
the  conflict  or  even  change  its  result,  especially  where  this  assistance  is 
extended  to  a  nation — like  Spain  to-day — ill  supplied  and  of  small 
resources.  This  would  be  manifestly  unfair,  and  for  a  neutral  to  offer  or 
abet  such  aid  is  a  grave  offense.  For  remissness  in  an  aggravated  case 
of  this  sort  (that  of  the  Alabama)  England  was  forced  to  pay  us  heavy 
damages.  Neither  national  sympathy  nor  national  interests  afford  any 
excuse. 

That  is  why  we  restrained  and  punished  those  who  organized  expe- 
ditions to  help  the  Cubans  while  we  were  still  at  peace  with  Spain.  But 
nations  engaged  in  war  must  not  ask  too  much.  They  may  insist  that  a 
neutral  shall  allow  no  hostile  operations  to  be  carried  on  within  its  ter- 
ritory, but  they  have  no  right  to  demand  that  it  shall  punish  its  private 
citizens  for  engaging  in  trade  in  articles  that  may  be  helpful  to  the 
enemy,  for  that  would  be  imposing  too  much  trouble  and  expense  upon 
a  nation  which  has  no  concern  in  the  quarrel.  Such  trade  is  punishable, 
but  it  is  the  business  of  the  nation  injured  by  it  to  catch  the  ships 
engaged  in  it  and  enforce  the  penalty — which  is  usually  confiscation  of 
the  goods  as  "contraband  of  war."  To  do  this  it  may  stop  and  search  any 
ships — except  warships — which  it  finds  at  sea;  and  so  long  as  no  out- 
rages are  committed  the  neutral  must  submit  and  has  no  ground  for 

378 


BLOCKADE  OF  CUBAN  PORTS. 

complaint.  Trade  in  contraband  goods  is  tolerated,  but  it  is  carried  on 
at  the  trader's  own  risk.  His  government  will  not  undertake  to  protect 
him  from  the  legitimate  consequences  of  his  venture. 

As  has  been  stated,  the  contraband  goods  are  confiscated  by  the 
captor.  The  vessel,  however,  must  be  captured  while  the  guilty  goods 
are  still  on  board;  to  seize  the  proceeds  after  the  cargo  has  been  sold  and 
landed  is  not  allowable,  though  it  has  sometimes  been  done.  If  the  ship 
belongs  to  the  same  owner  as  the  forfeited  goods,  it,  too,  is  confiscated; 
otherwise  it  goes  free  after  the  goods  are  taken  off. 

It  is  very  important  to  know  just  what  articles  are  contraband  and 
what  are  not;  but  this  is  often  hard  to  decide.  There  is  no  question 
about  weapons,  military  equipments  and  ammunition.  These  are 
plainly  contraband,  and  the  materials  from  which  they  are  made  are 
classed  with  them  whenever  they  seem  intended  for  military  uses.  Thus 
sulphur  and  saltpeter  are  always  contraband.  The  detached  parts  of 
cannon  and  naval  engines  do  escape  by  the  trick  of  separation. 

Cloth  is  not  contraband  in  itself,  but  if  of  a  quality  evidently  de- 
signed for  the  manufacture  of  uniform  it  would  probably  be  seized. 
Horses  are  so  useful  in  war  that  most  nations  treat  them  as  contraband 
— though,  oddly  enough,  Kussia  has  never  done  so.  Still  more  objection- 
able, nowadays,  is  coal,  which  will  never  be  allowed  to  reach  the  bunkers 
of  hostile  warships  if  it  can  be  prevented.  This  shows  plainly  how  uncer- 
tain and  changeful  is  the  list,  for  fifty  years  ago  coal  was  as  free  as  pro- 
visions, though  even  food  must  not  be  run  through  the  lines  of  a 
blockade. 

Articles,  such  as  coal,  which  are  of  great  value  in  war,  but  are  also 
largely  used  for  peaceful  purposes,  are  called  "occasional  contraband" 
and  their  seizure  has  given  rise  to  endless  disputes.  There  is  no  justice 
in  treating  them  as  contraband  except  when  they  are  obviously  destined 
for  hostile  use.  Sometimes,  in  doubtful  ca.ses,  such  goods,  instead  of 
being  confiscated,  are  seized  and  paid  for  to  prevent  their  reaching  the 
enemy.  This  is  called  "pre-emption;"  but,  fair  as  it  seems,  there  is  much 
danger  that  it  will  be  made  a  pretext  for  appropriating  goods  which 
ought  to  go  quite  free,  and  the  practice  is  generally  condemned. 

Search  at  sea  is  extremely  annoying,  and  ships  entirely  innocent  of 
contraband  are  often  subjected  to  great  inconvenience.  That  must  be 
endured;  to  attempt  to  resist  or  escape  would  make  them  liable  to  con- 
fiscation, whatever  their  cargo  might  prove  to  be.  Only  properly  com- 
missioned vessels,  however,  are  entitled  to  hold  up  merchantmen  for  this 
purpose.  Another  kind  of  meddling  in  war  for  which  a  neutral  citizen 


380  BLOCKADE  OF  CUBAN  PORTS. 

may  be  punished  by  confiscation,  but  for  which  his  government  is  not 
held  responsible,  is  blockade  running. 

A  blockade,  such  as  we  maintained  around  Cuba,  is  established  by 
stationing  war  vessels  at  the  entrances  of  harbors  and  at  intervals  along 
the  blockaded  coast.  Its  purpose  is  to  cut 'off  supplies  and  stop  all  com- 
munication with  the  enemy  by  sea.  The  merchant  ships  of  all  nations 
are  therefore  forbidden  to  pass  or  even  to  approach  the  line,  and  the 
penalty  for  disobedience  is  the  confiscation  of  both  ship  and  cargo — 
whether  the  latter  is  contraband  or  not  here  makes  no  difference.  If 
the  ship  does  not  stop  when  hailed  she  may  be  fired  upon,  and  if  she  is 
sunk  while  endeavoring  to  escape  it  is  her  own  fault.  And  unlike  vessels 
merely  guilty  of  carrying  contraband,  she  is  no  less  liable  to  seizure  on 
her  return  voyage,  after  her  cargo  has  been  disposed  of.  Altogether, 
blockade  running  is  perilous  business.  It  is  usually  attempted  under 
cover  of  night  or  stormy  weather,  and  it  is  as  full  of  excitement  and 
adventure  as  war  itself.  The  motive  is  usually  either  to  take  advantage 
of  famine  prices,  or  to  aid  the  enemy  by  bringing  supplies  or  carrying 
dispatches- 
Neutral  ships,  however,  are  entitled  to  some  sort  of  warning  that  a 
blockade  exists.  Notice  is  therefore  sent  to  all  neutral  governments, 
announcing  the  fact  and  stating  exactly  the  extent  of  coast  covered. 
Besides  this,  until  the  blockade  has  lasted  for  some  time  and  thus  has 
become  generally  known  it  is  customary  for  the  officers  of  the  blockading 
fleet  to  visit  and  warn  every  ship  that  approaches,  the  warning,  with  the 
date,  being  entered  upon  her  register.  If,  after  that,  she  approaches  the 
forbidden  coast,  she  is  liable  to  confiscation — though  possibly  great 
stress  of  weather  might  excuse  her  provided  she  landed  no  cargo.  In- 
structions of  this  sort  were  issued  by  President  McKinley  to  our  squad- 
ron blockading  Cuba.  A  reasonable  time,  also,  was  granted  to  ships  that 
were  lying  in  the  blockaded  ports  at  the  time  when  the  blockade  was 
declared,  to  make  their  escape.  President  McKinley  allowed  thirty 
days  for  this  purpose,  which  was  unusually  liberal. 

Nations  engaged  in  war  have  sometimes  assumed  that  they  could 
establish  a  blockade  by  simply  issuing  a  proclamation  forbidding  neu- 
trals to  approach  the  enemy's  coast,  without  stationing  ships  to  enforce 
it.  For  example,  during  the  Napoleonic  wars,  France  declared  the  whole 
coast  of  England  to  be  blockaded  at  a  time  when  she  scarcely  dared  send 
out  a  ship  from  her  ports,  having  been  soundly  thrashed  at  Trafalgar. 
But  these  "paper  blockades"  are  a  mere  waste  of  time  and  ink.  They 
are  not  valid,  and  except  in  the  way  of  angry  and  contemptuous  protest, 


BLOCKADE  OF  CUBAN   PORTS.  381 

no  nation  would  consider  them  worthy  of  the  slightest  attention.  If 
Spain,  for  instance,  should  attempt  a  desperate  game  of  bluff  by  declar- 
ing New  Orleans,  New  York  and  Boston  under  blockade,  all  neutral 
ships  would  come  and  go  just  the  same,  and  she  would  meddle  with  them 
at  her  peril.  This  question— *-if  it  ever  was  a  question — was  finally 
decided  by  the  epoch-making  convention  of  the  powers  at  the  close  of 
the  Crimean  war  (treaty  of  Paris,  1856),  which,  along  with  other  rules 
that  have  revolutionized  naval  warfare,  declared  that  "blockades  in 
order  to  be  binding  must  be  effective."  This  means  that  they  must  be 
maintained  by  a  force  actually  stationed  on  the  blockaded  coast,  strong 
enough  to  make  it  decidedly  dangerous  to  attempt  to  run  through.  The 
temporary  absence  of  some  of  the  ships,  however,  either  in  pursuit  of 
an  enemy  or  on  account  of  a  violent  storm,  would  not  invalidate  the 
blockade,  and  ships  seeking  to  take  advantage  of  such  an  opening  would 
be  liable  to  the  full  penalty  if  caught 

And  now  a  few  words  about  "prizes" — a  -particularly  interesting  and 
timely  theme,  for  during  the  very  first  week  of  the  war  our  fleet  captured 
no  fewer  than  fifteen  of  them. 

In  time  of  war  properly  commissioned  ships  are  entitled  to  capture 
not  only  the  armed  vessels  but  also  the  helpless  merchantmen  of  the 
enemy.  It  does  seem  a  good  deal  like  piracy,  but  it  has  been  the  uni- 
versal practice  from  time  immemorial.  These  captured  vessels  are  taken 
to  some  convenient  port  of  the  captor's  own  country  that  the  courts  may 
pass  judgment  on  them,  and  if  there  has  been  no  mistake  made  in  the 
seizure  they  are  forthwith  condemned  as  "lawful  prize."  Then  they  are 
sold,  and  "prize  money"  is  awarded  the  captors  in  proportion  to  the  value 
of  the  prize.  The  cargo  is  treated  in  the  same  way,  unless  it  happens 
to  belong  to  a  neutral,  in  which  case  it  is  free;  though  the  owner  must 
put  up  with  the  inconvenience  and  delay  resulting  from  the  seizure, 
since  he  deliberately  took  that  risk  when  he  placed  his  goods  in  a  hostile 
craft.  Formerly  his  property  was  sometimes  confiscated  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, but  the  treaty  of  Paris,  already  mentioned,  put  a  stop  to 
that.  Formerly,  too,  the  goods  of  enemies  could  be  taken  from  neutral 
ships  and  confiscated  in  the  same  manner  as  contraband  of  war,  but  the 
treaty  of  Paris  made  an  end  of  that  also. 

Another  excellent  rule  adopted  on  that  notable  occasion  abolished 
privateering.  Privateers  were  armed  ships  belonging  to  private  citizens 
who  had  obtained  from  their  own  government  a  commission  (letter  of 
marque)  which  authorized  them  to  make  prize  of  the  enemy's  merchant 
vessels  and  appropriate  the  proceeds.  The  abolition  of  privateering  was 


382  BLOCKADE   OF  CUBAN   POETS. 

a  long  step  in  the  right  direction,  for  the  privateer's  motive  was  mainly 
plunder,  and  the  whole  business  was  really  close  kin  to  piracy.  Neither 
the  United  States  nor  Spain  signed  the  original  agreement,  but  both 
have  acceded  to  it  now — Spain,  evidently,  very  much  against  her  will, 
for  her  citizens  thirsted  for  the  rich  booty  of  our  commerce,  a  fact  which 
makes  supremely  ridiculous  her  crazy  ravings  against  our  legitimate 
captures  as  "American  piracy." 

Distribution  of  Prize  Money. 

The  prize  money  adjudged  to  captors  is  distributed  in  the  following 
proportions : 

1.  The  commander  of  a  fleet  or  squadron,  one-twentieth  part  of  all 
prize  money  awarded  to  any  vessel  or  vessels  under  his  immediate  com- 
mand. 

2.  To  the  commander  of  a  division  of  a  fleet  or  squadron,  a  sum 
equal  to  one-fiftieth  of  any  prize  money  aAvarded  to  a  vessel  of  the 
division  under  his  command,  to  be  paid  from  the  moiety  due  the  United 
States,  if  there  be  such  moiety;  if  not,  from  the  amount  awarded  the 
captors. 

3.  To  the  fleet  captain,  one-hundredth    part    of   all    prize   money 
awarded  to  any  vessel  of  the  fleet  in  which  he  is  serving,  in  which  case 
he  shall  share  in  proportion  to  his  pay,  with  the  other  officers  and  men  on 
board  such  vessel. 

4.  To  the  commander  of  a  single  vessel,  one-tenth  of  all  the  prize 
money  awarded  to  the  vessel. 

5.  After  the  foregoing  deductions,  the  residue  is  distributed  among 
the  others  doing  duty  on  board,  and  borne  upon  the  books  of  the  ship, 
in  proportion  to  their  respective  rates  of  pay. 

All  vessels  of  the  navy  within  signal  distance  of  the  vessel  making 
the  capture,  and  in  such  condition  as  to  be  able  to  render  effective  aid  if 
required,  will  share  in  the  prize.  Any  person  temporarily  absent  from 
his  vessel  may  share  in  the  captures  made  during  his  absence.  The  prize 
court  determines  what  vessels  shall  share  in  a  prize,  and  also  whether 
a  prize  was  superior  or  inferior  to  the  vessel  or  vessels  making  the 
capture. 

The  share  of  prize  money  awarded  to  the  United  States  is  set  apart 
forever  as  a  fund  for  the  payment  of  pensions  to  naval  officers,  seamen 
and  marines  entitled  to  pensions. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 
SPANISH    DISSENSIONS   AT   HOME. 

Spain  Threatened  with  Interior  Difficulties — Danger  that  the  Crown  Might 
Be  Lost  to  the  Baby  King  of  Spain — Don  Carlos  and  the  Carlists  Are 
Active — Castelar  Is  Asked  to  Establish  a  Republic — General  Weyler  as 
a  Possible  Dictator — History  of  the  Carlist  Movement  and  Sketch  of 
"the  Pretender." 

While  these  events  were  in  progress  in  the  international  relations 
of  the  United  States  and  Spain,  with  a  threat  of  a  hopeless  war  hang- 
ing over  the  latter,  the  embarrassments  of  the  government  of  the 
peninsular  kingdom  as  to  the  conflict  of  its  own  affairs  at  home  multi- 
plied daily.  Altogether  aside  from  the  prospective  operations  of  the 
WB.T  itself  the  Queen  Regent  and  her  Ministry  had  more  than  one  local 
difficulty  to  face. 

It  was  frankly  recognized  in  their  inner  councils  that  a  succession 
of  Spanish  defeats,  in  all  probability,  would  lose  the  throne  to  the 
dynasty  and  that  the  boy  king  would  never  wear  the  crown  of  his 
father.  A  second  threat  of  danger  was  that  in  the  midst  of  difficul- 
ties abroad  there  would  be  an  uprising  of  the  adherents  of  Don  Carlos 
"The  Pretender,"  who  would  take  advantage  of  the  situation  to  start 
a  civil  war  and  seize  the  authority.  In  addition  to  all  this,  the  repub- 
licans of  Spain,  growing  more  restless  under  the  misgovernment  they 
saw,  united  in  an  address  to  Castelar,  who  was  formerly  the  president 
of  the  Spanish  republic,  urging  that  he  declare  the  republic  again 
established  and  promising  to  support  him  in  such  a  movement.  The 
names  of  20,000  of  the  best  citizens  of  Spain  were  signed  to  this  re- 
quest, and  it  was  an  element  of  danger  to  the  monarchy  that  was  well 
recognized.  Finally,  the  partisans  of  General  Weyler,  who  comprised 
a  large  element  of  the  proudest,  and  most  influential  people  of  Spain, 
showed  distinct  signs  of  a  desire  to  establish  a  dictatorship  with  that 
ferocious  general  as  the  supreme  authority.  He  had  been  recalled 
from  Cuba  as  a  rebuke  and  in  order  to  alter  the  policies  which  he  had 
established  there.  His  friends  were  ready  to  resent  the  rebuke  and 
offer  him  higher  place  than  he  had  had  before. 


384  SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME. 

Don  Carlos  and  the  Carlists. 

Spain  has  been  the  scene  of  many  revolutions,  a  fact  easily  under- 
stood when  the  character  of  the  government  is  known.  Dishonesty 
and  oppression  in  an  administration  always  breed  the  spirit  of  re- 
bellion. Don  Carlos,  who  regards  Alfonso  as  a  usurper,  and  believes 
himself  the  true  King  of  Spain,  issued,  April  '13,  from  his  retreat  in 
Switzerland,  a  manifesto  to  his  supporters.  In  this  he  arraigned  the 
government,  sought  to  inflame  the  excited  Spanish  populace  against 
the  Queen  Eegent,  her  son  and  her  ministers,  and  declared  that  they 
had  permitted  the  Spanish  standard  to  be  dragged  in  the  mud.  He 
said  in  part: 

Twenty  years  of  patriotic  retirement  have  proved  that  I  am  neither  am- 
bitious nor  a  conspirator.  The  greater  and  better  part  of  my  life  as  a  man 
has  been  spent  in  the  difficult  task  of  restraining  my  natural  impulses  and 
those  of  my  enthusiastic  Carlists,  whose  eagerness  I  was  the  first  to  appre- 
ciate, but  which  nevertheless  I  curbed,  although  it  rent  my  heart  to  do  so. 
To-day  national  honor  speaks  louder  than  anything,  and.  the  same  patriotic 
duty  which  formerly  bade  me  say  "Wait  yet  a  while,"  may  lead  me  to  cry,  com- 
manding the  Carlists,  "Forward,"  and  not  only  the  Carlists,  but  all  Spaniards, 
especially  to  the  two  national  forces  which  still  bravely  withstand  the  enervat- 
ing femininities  of  the  regency,  the  people  and  the  army. 

If  the  glove  which  Washington  has  flung  in  the  face  of  Spain  is  picked  up 
by  Madrid  I  will  continue  the  same  example  of  abnegation  as  before,  wretched 
in  that  I  cannot  partake  in  the  struggle  other  than  by  prayers  and  by  the  in- 
fluence of  my  name.  I  will  applaud  from  my  soul  those  who  have  the  good 
fortune  to  face  the  fire,  and  I  shall  consider  those  Carlists  as  serving  my 
cause  who  embark  in  war  against  the  United  States. 

But  if  everything  leads  me  to  fear  that  the  policy  of  humiliation  will  again 
prevail,  we  will  snatch  the  reins  of  government  from  those  who  are  unworthy 
to  hold  them  and  we  will  occupy  their  places. 

While  their  leader  was  talking  in  this  strain,  his  supporters  were 
preparing  to  act.  They  believed  that  the  conditions  for  a  revolution 
were  more  favorable  than  they  had  been  for  years,  that  the  present 
dynasty  was  doomed,  and  that  Spain  would  be  forced  to  choose  be- 
tween republicanism  and  Don  Carlos.  The  only  chance,  they  said,  for 
the  retention  of  the  present  dynasty,  would  be  for  Spain  to  defeat  the- 
United  States,  and  they  were  not  so  blind  as  to  believe  that  such  would 
be  the  outcome  of  a  war  between  the  two  powers. 


SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME.  385 

Ready  for  Action. 

Don  Carlos  himself  believed  that  the  time  had  come  to  act.  He 
journeyed  to  Ostend,  where  he  consulted  with  Lord  Ashburnham  and 
other  Catholic  Englishmen  who  were  his  supporters,  and  mapped  out 
a  plan  of  campaign.  He  stood  ready  at  any  convenient  moment  to 
cross  the  frontier  and  place  himself  at  the  head  of  his  supporters. 

Never  since  there  was  a  pretender  to  the  throne  of  Spain,  and  Don 
Carlos  is  the  third  of  the  name,  had  the  outlook  been  so  favorable  for 
the  fall  of  the  constitutional  monarchy. 

Discontent  has  been  widespread  in  Spain  and  it  has  been  fomented 
by  the  Carlists,  with  a  splendid  organization,  with  more  than  2,000 
clubs  scattered  in  various  parts  of  the  kingdom. 

Causes  for  discontent  have  not  been  lacking,  and  the  Cuban  and 
Philippine  revolts,  together  with  the  threatened  trouble  with  the 
United  States,  were  not  the  'only  reasons  for  popular  dissatisfaction. 
Spain  was  bankrupt  and  found  it  difficult  to  borrow  money  from  the 
money  lenders  of  London  and  Paris.  With  the  increased  expenses 
due  to  the  revolution  there  had  been  a  decrease  in  receipts  for  the 
same  cause — the  usual  revenues  from  Havana  being  lacking.  The 
people  were  poor  and  thousands  of  them  starving.  Additional  taxa- 
tion was  out  of  the  question,  for  the  people  were  taxed  to  the  limit. 

These  were  the  causes  to  which  the  strength  of  the  Carlist  agita- 
tion was  due.  And  that  it  was  strong  there  can  be  no  doubt.  The 
birthday  of  Don  Carlos,  March  30,  was  celebrated  this  year  with  an 
enthusiasm  and  unprecedented  degree  of  unanimity  throughout  the 
kingdom,  and  the  government  did  not  feel  itself  strong  enough  to  in- 
terfere with  them. 

Toasted  as  King. 

There  were  hundreds  of  fetes  in  cities,  towns  and  villages,  and 
many  of  them  were  held  in  the  open  air,  where  the  pretender  was 
toasted  as  "El  Key"  or  "the  king,"  and  Alfonso  was  ignored. 

This  inaction  could  be  due  only  to  the  fact  that  the  government 
was  powerless.  To  say  that  they  did  not  fear  Don  Carlos  would  be 
ridiculous,  as  the  latest  manifesto  of  Don  Carlos  was  suppressed,  and 
the  government  was  really  in  fear  a'nd  trembling.  A  more  plausible 
reason  would  be^that  the  ministry  wished  to  be  in  the  good  graces  of 


38f>  SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME. 

Don  Carlos  should  he  win,  and  they  were  not  ready  to  trust  themselves 
to  absolute  loyalty  to  the  present  dynasty. 

Meanwhile,  as  this  chapter  is  written,  reports  from  Spain  tell  of 
unprecedented  Carlist  activity.  They  are  arming  themselves.  Arms 
are  pouring  across  the  frontier  in  such  quantities  as  to  show  that  the 
Carlists  are  preparing  for  an  early  rising,  and  all  of  the  actions  and 
utterances  of  the  leader  show  that  they  are  only  waiting  for  a  favor- 
able opportunity  to  begin  the  revolution.  Strong  proof  of  this  is  to 
be  found  in  the  fact  that  since  Don  Carlos  secured  his  second  wife's 
vast  fortune  he  has  been  penurious,  and  it  is  not  believed  that  he 
would  spend  money  in  arms  unless  he  believed  the  expenditure  would 
bring  about  some  practical  advantage  to  his  cause. 

His  agents  have  been  working  among  the  army  officers,  and  it  is 
said  that  they  have  secured  many  recruits  for  their  cause.  The  throne 
•of  Spain,  like  the  throne  of  Russia,  during  the  last  century,  or  that  of 
Rome  in  the  days  of  the  empire,  rests  largely  upon  the  army,  and  if 
the  army,  discontented  and  dissatisfied  as  it  certainly  is,  were  to  re- 
volt, Don  Carlos7  success  would  be  almost  certain. 

Ever  since  his  marriage  in  1894  with  the  Princess  de  Rohan,  who 
brought  him  a  large  fortune,  Don  Carlos  has  been  watching  a  favora- 
ble opportunity  for  ai  coup.  There  cannot  be  a  better  one  than  that 
which  will  be  offered  when  Spain  is  defeated  by  the  United  States, 
and  it  would  not  be  surprising  to  see  Don  Carlos  unfurl  his  banner  to 
the  breeze  and  call  for  troops  to  rally  to  his  standard. 

Those  who  are  supporters  of  the  pretensions  of  Don  Carlos  believe 
they  have  right  on  their  side.  His  supporters  love  him  with  the 
loyalty  of  the  legitimists  to  the  house  of  Stuart  during  the  period  be- 
fore the  restoration  in  England.  His  personality  is  attractive.  He 
has  all  the  .elements  of  personal  popularity  with  the  masses*  He  is 
brave  and  dashing.  He  does  not  sit  and  weep  over  the  fallen  glories 
of  his  race,  but  he  is  always  ready  for  action.  He  is  ready  at  any  mo- 
ment to  lead  an  army  in  a  forlorn  cause  and  will  fight  for  what  he  be 
lieves  to  be  his  rights. 

Flower  of  Spain. 

The  position  occupied  in  Spanish  affairs  by  Don  Carlos  is  similar 
to  that  occupied  by  Prince  Charles  Edward  toward  the  throne  of 
Great  Britain  during  the  last  century.  His  family  has  been  dispos- 
sessed for  about  the  same  length  of  time  and  he  has  made  a  fight  just 


SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME.  389 

as  romantic,  but  with  more  brilliant  prospects,  and  at  the  head  of  the 
heroic  highlanders,  dwellers  in  the  Basque  mountains.  L  !  j  followers 
are  the  flower  of  Spain,  the  most  aristocratic  families  in  the-  kingdom, 
willing  to  risk  all  in  his  support,  setting  property  and  life  itself  as 
worth  naught  compared  with  their  honor. 

There  have  been  three  Carlist  pretenders  to  the  throne  of  Spain. 
The  first  was  Carlos  V.,  born  in  1788.  He  laid  claim  to  the  throne  on 
the  death  of  his  brother,  Ferdinand  VII.,  in  1833. 

Ferdinand  had  had  a  stormy  reign,  torn  by  dissensions  between 
the  court  and  the  popular  party.  Napoleon  compelled  him  to  resign 
in  favor  of  Joseph  Bonaparte,  but  he  returned  to  the  throne  of  his  an- 
cestors upon  the  fall  of  Bonaparte.  During  twenty-eight  years  he 
married  five  wives  in  succession.  By  four  of  these  he  had  no  children, 
but  a  daughter  was  born  to  the  last,  who  had  been  Princess  of  Naples. 
She  secured  an  absolute  mastery  of  the  king,  who  was  an  imbecile  un- 
fitted to  reign.  The  heir  apparent  to  the  throne  was  the  grandfather 
of  the  present  Don  Carlos,  Carlos  V.,  'the  brother  of  Ferdinand.  Be- 
tween Carlos  and  his  brother  there  had  been  a  long  enmity. 

Christina  used  her  influence  with  her  husband  to  persuade  him  to 
disinherit  his  brother.  By  the  Salic  law  females  were  excluded  from 
inheriting  the  throne  of  France.  But  through  the  influence  of  Ferdi- 
nand and  his  spouse  the  cortes  was  persuaded  to  repeal  the  law,  the 
more  willingly  since  Carlos  was  in  favor  of  absolutism,  while  with  a 
woman  as  ruler  the  chances  would  be  better  for  the  perpetuation  of 
constitutionalism.  The  Carlists  claim  that  during  the  last  days  Fer- 
dinand repented  his  act  and  issued  documents  which  would  have 
established  Carlos'  right  to  the  succession,  but  that  these  wero  sup- 
pressed. However  that  may  be,  upon  the  death  of  Ferdinand  his  baby 
daughter  was  declared  Queen  of  Spain,  with  her  mother  as  regent. 

For  five  years  there  was  civil  war.  The  youth  and  weakness  of 
the  baby  queen  proved  her  strength.  The  liberals  believed  that  with 
her  as  the  nominal  ruler  the  continuance  of  the  constitutional  mon- 
archy would  be  assured.  For  the  same  reasons  France  and  England 
supported  Isabella.  These  were  odds  against  which  Carlos  could  not 
effectually  fight,  and  in  1869  he  retreated  from  Spain,  and  the  his- 
torians treat  the  succession  as  settled  in  favor  of  the  young  girl,  who 
even  at  that  time  was  not  in  her  teens. 


390  SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME, 

Queen  Isabella's  Reign. 

Isabella  II.,  or  rather  her  mother,  for  the  latter  was  the  real  ruler, 
did  not  rule  with  prudence.  Scandals  disgraced  the  reign,  and  led 
to  the  regent's  removal  from  the  regency.  Queen  Isabella's  ill-fated 
marriage  and  other  intrigues  led  to  domestic  disturbances  which  kept 
alive  the  pretensions  of  the  Carlists. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  first  pretender,  in  1853,  a  second  arose  in 
the  person  of  his  son,  Don  Carlos,  Count  de  Montemolim.  lie  at- 
tempted to  cause  a  revolution  in  1860,  but  was  arrested  with  his 
brother,  and  they  were  not  liberated  until  they  had  signed  a  renuncia- 
tion of  their  claims  to  the  throne, 

The  second  pretender  died  in  1861,  and  then  the  present  Don  Car- 
los arose.  He  was  the  son  of  Don  Juan,  and  a  brother  of  the  two  who 
had  renounced  their  claims  to  the  Spanish  throne,  and  he  claimed 
that  their  renunciation  could  not  be  binding  on  him.  This  was  the 
Don  Carlos  who  is  now  the  leader  of  the  legitimists,  and  he  has  never 
renounced  his  claim  to  the  throne  of  his  ancestors. 

His  name  in  full  is  Don  Carlos  de  los  Dolores  Juan  Isidore  Josef 
Francisco  Quirino  Antonio  Miguel  Gabriel  Eafa,el.  He  was  born  in 
the  little  village  of  Laibach  in  the  Austrian  Alps,  while  his  parents 
were  on  a  journey  through  the  country,  and  from  his  infancy  his 
career  has  been  surrounded  with  a  romance  which  has  endeared  him 
to  the  hearts  of  his  followers.  His  father,  Don  Juan,  was  an  exile  from 
Spain  and  a  royal  wanderer  seeking  a  place  where  he  could  end  his 
life  in  peace. 

He  and  his  wife  were  befriended  by  the  Emperor  Ferdinand  of 
Austria,  who  placed  the  young  Don  Carlos  under  the  care  of  a  Spanish 
priest,  who  educated  him  for  the  priesthood.  Even  in  his  infancy  he 
cared  nothing  to  become  a  priest  in  spite  of  his  devout  devotion  to  the 
Eoman  Catholic  faith,  but  dreamed  of  the  day  when  he  would  rule  as 
King  of  Spain. 

Don  Carlos  was  only  seventeen  years  of  age  when  he  met  and  fell 
in  love  with  Margaret,  the  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Parma.  She  was 
only  fourteen,  and  the  mother  of  the  young  prince  persuaded  them  to 
postpone  the  marriage  for  three  years.  With  his  wife  the  pretender 
received  a  large  fortune  and  he  has  been  able  to  maintain  a  court  in 
the  semblance  of  royalty  for  several  years. 

Thirty  years  ago  Carlos  might  have  been  king.    The   crown    was 


SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME.  391 

then  offered  him  by  Priin  and  Sagasta,  who  journeyed  to  London  for 
the  purpose.  They  said  it  should  be  his  if  he  would  support  the  lib- 
eral constitution  proposed  for  the  country  and  would  favor  the  sep- 
aration of  church  and  state.  It  was  the  latter  idea  that  led  to  his  re- 
jection of  the  proffered  honor.  His  strict  Roman  Catholic  training 
made  him  refuse,  for  religion  was  more  to  him  than  anything  else. 

Carlos'  Scornful  Refusal. 

"When  I  come  to  my  throne,"  he  declared,  "I  shall  rule  my  land  as 
I  see  fit." 

These  were  the  words  with  which  he  scornfully  spurned  their 
offer. 

The  republicans  never  forgave  him,  and  later  when,  after  the  de- 
thronement of  Isabella,  his  name  was  again  proposed  in  the  cortes  by 
his  supporters,  Prim  and  Sagasta  were  his  most  bitter  enemies. 

On  Don  Carlos'  behalf,  insurrections — speedily  repressed — took 
place  in  1869  and  1872.  But  the  insurrection  headed  by  him  in  person 
in  1873  proved  much  more  formidable  and  kept  the  Basque  provinces 
in  a  great  confusion  till  the  beginning  of  1876,  when  it  was  crushed. 

Before  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  1872-76,  Don  Carlos  de- 
fined clearly  his  position  and  views  in  various  manifestoes  addressed 
to  the  people  of  Spain.  He  declared  that  with  him  the  revolutionary 
doctrine  should  have  no  place.  What  Spain  wanted,  said  Don  Carlos, 
was  that  no  outrage  should  be  offered  to  the  faith  of  her  fathers,  for 
in  Catholicity  reposed  the  truth,  as  she  understood  it,  the  symbol  of 
all  her  glories,  the  spirit  of  all  her  laws  and  the  bond  of  concord  be- 
tween all  good  Spaniards.  What  Spain  wanted  was  a  real  king  and 
a  government  worthy  and  energetic,  strong  and  respected. 

The  opportunity  for  Don  Carlos  was  found  in  the  troublous  times 
that  led  to  and  followed  the  abdication  of  Amadeo  I.,  Duke  of  Aosta, 
who  had  been  elected  by  the  cortes.  The  four  years'  war  commenced 
in  spring,  1872,  and  a  year  later  Amadeo  abdicated  in  a  message  say- 
ing that  he  saw  Spain  in  a  continual  struggle,  and  the  era  of  peace 
more  distant;  he  sought  remedies  within  the  law,  but  did  not  find 
them;  his  efforts  were  sterile. 

Thereupon  the  two  chambers  combined  a.s  the  sovereign  power  of 
Spain  and  voted  for  a  republic.  The  two  years  of  the  republic  were 
the  stormiest  in  Spanish  history,  and  it  was  then  that  the  Carlists  made 
the  greatest  progress.  They  numbered  probably  one-third  of  the  peo- 


592  SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME. 

pie  of  Spain.  A  republic  was  not  suited  to  the  disposition  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  Castelar,  who  had  the  helm  of  the  ship  of  state,  gave 
up  his  task  in  disgust.  Then  Alfonso  XII.,  son  of  the  exiled  Isabella, 
was  proclaimed  heir  to  the  throne.  Alfonso  XIII.,  is  his  son. 

Alfonso  XII.'s  first  task  was  to  suppress  the  Carlists,  and  in  this 
he  succeeded.     The  people  were  tired  of  the  continual  strife.     Royal 
ists  and  republicans  alike  welcomed  the  new  monarch. 

The  number  of  his  followers  gradually  dwindling  and  finding  that 
continued  resistance  would  be  unavailable,  Don  Carlos  was  finally 
convinced  that  it  would  be  useless  to  continue  the  struggle.  So  early 
in  1876  his  army  disbanded.  Accompanied  by  his  bodyguard  he 
crossed  the  Pyrenees.  As  he  stepped  his  foot  on  French  soil  he  turned 
as  if  to  bid  farewrell  to  Spain,  but  his  last  words,  energetically  pro- 
nounced, were:  "Volvere,  volvere!  I  will  return,  I  will  return!"  And 
it  is  the  belief  of  his  followers  that  his  time  is  near  at  hand. 

His  Loyal  Followers. 

No  man  has  more  devoted  followers.  The  army  that  fought  for 
him  during  the  Carlist  revolution  was  one  of  the  most  heroic  that  has 
ever  been  gathered  together.  To  his  standard  came  young  men  of 
good  family  from  every  nation.  He  was  regarded  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  old  regime  of  monarchists,  and  in  his  ranks  were  those  who 
hoped  for  the  re-establishment  of  the  now  obsolete  divine  right  of 
kings.  He  was  the  head  of  the  house  of  Bourbon  in  all  Europe.  Ex- 
cept for  the  existence  of  Maria  Theresa,  daughter  of  Ferdinand  of 
Modena,  married  the  Prince  Louis  of  Bavaria,  Don  Carlos  would  be 
the  legitimate  representative  of  the  royal  house  of  Stuart,  and,  barr- 
ing the  English  act  of  settlement,  King  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 

This  fact  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  the  cold  shoulder 
that  was  turned  to  him  by  all  of  the  powers  of  Euro'pe.  Don  Carlos 
was  regarded  as  the  representative  of  the  half-dozen  pretenders  to 
the  throne  who  live  in  exile  amid  little  courts  of  their  own  and  build 
air  castles  peopled  with  "things  they  will  do  when  they  mount  the 
thrones  o:f  which  they  believe  themselves  to  have  been  defrauded. 

The  Carlists  believe  that  with  the  support  of  one  of  the  great  gov- 
ernments they  would  have  won.  But  they  could  obtain  no  recogni- 
tion even  of  their  belligerency,  and  that  was  in  spite  of  the  fact  that, 
as  early  as  1873,  the  president  of  the  Spanish  Republic  has  declared 
in  the  cortes:  "We  have  a  real  civil  war.  *  *  *  It  has  a  real  ad- 


SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME.  393 

ministrative  organization  and  collects  taxes.  You  have  presented  to 
you  one  state  in  front  of  another.  It  is  in  fact  a  great  war." 

Yet  in  spite  of  this  declaration  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the 
five  successive  heads  of  the  Madrid  government  recognized  the  bel- 
ligerency of  the  Carlists  by  conventions;  that  treaties  were  made  for 
the  running  of  railroads  and  for  other  purposes,  and  that  the  Carlists 
had  a  mint,  postoffice  and  all  of  the  equipments  of  a  regular  govern- 
ment, recognition  was  withheld  by  the  powers.  Everything  depended 
upon  England,  and  General  Kirkpatrick,  a  brigadier  general  in  the 
civil  war,  who  represented  the  .Carlists  as  charge  d'affaires  at  London, 
was  unable  to  secure  that  boon  from  Gladstone,  and  none  of  the  con- 
tinental powers  would  act  until  England  had  led  the  way. 

After  his  retirement  from  Spain,  when  the  war  had  exhausted  his 
resources,  Don  Carlos  lived  humbly  and  quietly  at  Paris.  He  had 
ceased  to  love  his  wife  and  they  led  a  miserable  domestic  life.  He 
would  sell  his  ,war  horse  and  fling  the  money  to  her  on  the  bare  table, 
telling  her  to  buy  bread  with  it.  Then  his  friends  would  buy  the  horse 
back  again.  Once  he  disposed  of  the  badge  of  the  Order  of  Golden 
Fleece  that  had  decorated  the  son  of  his  illustrious  ancestor,  Charles 
V.  The  discreditable  part  of  this  action  was  not  so  much  in  the  actual 
act  of  pawning  as  that  he  put  the  blame  for  it  on  an  old  general  who 
had  served  him  with  fidelity  for  twenty  years.  He  claimed  that  the 
general  had  stolen  it,  imagining  that  the  old  soldier's  devotion  to  his 
interests  would  induce  him  to  remain  silent.  But  the  general  at  once 
told  all  of  the  facts  in  the  case,  and  also  told  how  Don  Carlos  had  used 
the  money  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  a  notorious  demi-mondaine. 

His  financial  difficulties  came  to  an  end  with  the  death  of  the 
Comte  and  Comtesse  de  Chambord,  who  bequeathed  the  larger  part 
of  their  immense  wealth  to  their  favorite  niece,  wife  of  Don  Carlos. 
The  duchess  kept  the  money  in  her  own  hands,  but  gave  him  all  he 
needed.  At  her  death  she  was  quite  as  provident,  leaving  the  money 
in  trust  for  her  children  and  giving  only  a  small  allowance  to  her  hus- 
band, from  whom  she  had  lived  apart  for  fifteen  years. 

Married  a  Fortune. 

This  threw  the  pretender  again  into  financial  straits,  for  he  has  ex- 
pensive tastes  which  require  a  large  fortune  to  support.  So  he  looked 
around  for  a  bride.  His  followers  were  startled  to  hear  of  his  mar- 
riage to  the  wealthy  Princess  Marie  Berthe  de  Rohan.  The  marriage 
took  place  April  29,  1894,  and,  although  she  was  handsome  and  ex- 


394  SPANISH  DISSENSIONS  AT  HOME. 

ceedingly  rich  and  a.  member  of  the  illustrious  Rohan  family,  which 
alone  of  all  the  noble  families  of  France  and  Austria  has  the  privilege 
of  calling  the  monarch  cousin — it  was  regarded  as  a,  mesalliance  by 
all  of  the  Carlists  in  Spain  a.nd  legitimists  everywhere.  They  believed 
that  Don  Carlos  should  have  not  married  any  but  the  scion  of  a  royal 
house. 

By  his  first  marriage  Don  Carlos  had  five  children,  among  them 
Don  Jaime,  now  in  his  twenty-eighth  year,  who  is  regarded  as  heir  to 
the  throne  by  the  Carlists.  Don  Jaime  is  said  to  possess  to  a  high  de- 
gree the  strength  of  will  and  the  determined  character  of  his  father. 
He  was  educated  in  England  and  Austria,  and  is  now  serving  in  the 
Russian  army.  Military  science  is  his  hobby,  and  he  will  be  able  to 
fight  for  his  throne,  as  his  father  has  done,  if  it  becomes  necessary. 

Don  Carlos  is  now  in  Switzerland,  that  home  of  the  exiled  from 
other  lands,  and  where  he  spends  his  summers.  His  winter  residence 
is  at  the  Palais  de  Loredane  in  Venice. 

At  the  present  date  the  Carlist  party  is  one  of  the  strongest  polit- 
ical parties  in  Spain.  This  does  not  appear  in  the  representation  in 
the  Spanish  cortes,  for  under  the  present  system  the  right  to  exercise 
the  franchise  freely  is  a  farce. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  Don  Carlos'  popularity  is  greater  than  that 
of  the  little  king.  The  queen  is  regarded  a.s  a  foreigner  and  the  king 
is  too  young  to  awaken  any  admiration  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  every 
opportunity  is  taken  to  make  him  do  so.  To  popularize  the  little  king 
the  queen  regent  promenades  the  poor  child  through  the  provinces. 
He  makes  childish  speeches  to  the  populace,  touches  the  flags  of  the 
volunteers  and  in  every  way  seeks  to  revive  the  enthusiasm  for  the 
house  of  Austria.  But  without  avail.  The  wretched  peasants,  ground 
down  by  taxes,  find  little  to  stir  them  in  the  sight. 

On  the  contrary,  Don  Carlos  is  a  great  military  hero,  whose  actions 
have  stirred  the  people  to  admiration  in  spite  of  his  many  bad  quali- 
ties. 

That  the  present  dynasty  will  endure  when  all  of  the  evils  from 
which  Spain  suffers  are  considered,  seems  hard  to  believe.  Unless  a 
miracle  happens  or  the  powers  bolster  up  the  throne  of  the  little  king, 
the  people  are  likely  to  turn  to  Don  Carlos  for  relief.  There  are  those 
who  believe  that  republicanism  is  also  rampant  and  that  the  Carlist 
agitation  masks  republican  doctrines,  and  that  Weyler  will  be  dic- 
tator. This  may  be.  But  Don  Carlos  seems  nearer  the  throne  than  he 
has  been  at  any  time  during  his  career. 


CHAPTER   XLVI. 
THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES  OF  SPAIN. 

The  Philippines  Another  Example  of  the  Shocking  Misgovernment  of  Spain's 
Outlying  Possessions — Interesting  Facts  About  the  Philippines — • 
Spanish  Oppression  and  Cruelty — Manila,  the  Capital  of  the  Islands 
— Manufactures  and  Trade  of  the  Eastern  Archipelago — Puerto  Rico 
and  Its  History — The  Products  and  People — Spirit  of  Insurrection  Rife 
— The  Colonies  Off  the  Coast  of  Africa  Where  Spain  Exiles  Political 
and  Other  Offenders — The  Canaries,  Fernando  Po  and  Ceuta. 

From  the  very  beginning  of  our  war  with  Spain  the  peninsular 
kingdom  had  reason  to  fear  that  the  loss  of  Cuba  would  be  but  one  of 
the  disasters  to  befall  it  in  the  war  with  the  United  States.  It  was 
recognized  in  all  quarters  that  the  Queen  Regent  would  have  been 
willing  to  let  the  Cuban  insurrectionists  have  their  island  without 
further  protest,  had  it  not  been  for  the  fact  that  giving  up  probably 
would  have  incited  an  insurrection  at  home,  resulting  in  a  loss  of  the 
crown  to  her  son  before  he  should  have  a  chance  to  wear  it. 

It  was  quite  well  understood  as  a  like  probability  that  the  Philip- 
pine islands,  that  splendid  colony  of  Spain  in  the  East  Indies,  would 
be  lost  to  Spanish  control  at  the  same  time,  and  that  the  island  of 
Puerto  Rico,  the  last  remnant  of  Spain's  great  colonial  possessions  in 
the  Western  hemisphere,  after  Cuba's  loss,  would  gain  its  freedom 
too.  The  Queen  Regent  having  spurned  the  only  course  in  Cuban 
affairs  which  the  United  States  would  permit,  with  American  war- 
ships threatening  Manila,  it  became  immediately  apparent  that  the 
other  horn  of  the  dilemma  which  had  been  chosen  was  as  fatal  to 
Spanish  sovereignty  as  the  first  would  have  been. 

Even  Cuba,  with  all  its  abominations,  scarcely  afforded  so  remark- 
able a  picture  of  Spanish  oppression,  miscalled  government,  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  Philippines.  It  is  only  the  remoteness  and  isolation  of  these 
unhappy  islands  that  has  prevented  the  atrocities  there  perpetrated 
from  arousing  the  indignation  of  the  whole  world.  Readers  are  familiar 
enough  with  the  shocking  barbarities  practiced  in  times  of  disorder 
by  the  Spanish  authorities,  and  they  do  not  need  to  be  multiplied  here, 
but  in  the  Philippines  is  demonstrated  the  utter  incapacity  of  the  Span- 

395 


396     THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES. 

ish  for  the  exercise  of  civilized  government  over  a  dependent  province 
even  in  times  of  so-called  peace. 

The  Philippines  are  extremely  interesting  in  themselves,  but  are 
seldom  visited  by  tourists,  partly  in  consequence  of  their  lying  out  of 
the  ordinary  lines  of  travel  and  partly  because  of  the  policy  of  Chinese 
seclusion  cultivated  by  the  government.  The  climate,  too,  is  unhealthy, 
even  beyond  what  is  usual  in  the  tropics,  and  the  unsettled  state  of 
the  country,  swarming  with  exasperated  savages  and  bandits  of  the 
worst  description,  makes  excursions  beyond  the  limits  of  the  principal 
cities  very  perilous.  About  600  islands  are  included  in  the  group,  and 
the  total  area  is  considerable — some  150,000  square  miles,  three  or 
four  times  that  of  Cuba.  Exact  data,  however,  are  difficult  to  obtain. 
There  are  a  multitude  of  insignificant  islets  hardly  known  except 
upon  the  charts  of.  navigators ;  but  Luzon  almost  equals  Cuba  in  extent. 
Altogether  the  islands  probably  contain  less  than  8,000,000  souls;  so 
that  Spanish  cruelty  finds  plenty  of  raw  material  to  work  upon. 

Characteristics  of  the  Population. 

And  most  of  it  is  raw  to  the  last  degree — a  medley  of  diverse  and 
hostile  races,  ranging  from  the  puny  and  dying  remnant  of  the  Negri- 
tos, who  live  like  wild  beasts  in  the  highlands,  subsisting  upon  the 
roots  which  they  claw  out  of  the  ground,  to  the  fierce  and  unsubdued 
Mohammedan  tribes  that  still  keep  up  the  bloody  war  of  creeds  which 
raged  in  Spain  itself  for  so  many  centuries.  These  latter  are  chiefly 
of  Malay  origin  and  many  of  them  are  professional  head-hunters,  well 
qualified  to  retort  Spanish  outrages  in  kind.  There  are  also  Chinese 
in  large  numbers  and  half-castes  of  all  varieties.  The  proportion  of 
Europeans  is  small,  even  in  the  cities.  The  resident  Spaniards  are  all 
soldiers  or  officials  of  some  sort  and  are  there  simply  for  what  they 
can  make  by  extortion  and  corrupt  practices. 

The  Philippine  islands  were  discovered  in  1521  by  Magellan,  the 
circumnavigator,  and  were  conquered  by  Spain  and  made  a  colony  in 
the  reign  of  Philip  II.,  for  whom  they  were  named,  half  a  century 
later.  Spanish  sway  never  has  extended  over  more  than  half  of  the 
1,400  islands  of  the  archipelago,  the  others  remaining  under  their  native 
wild  tribes  and  Mohammedan  rulers.  The  conjectural  area  is  about 
120,000  square  miles,  and  the  estimated  population  about  7,500,000. 
About  half  this  area  and  three-quarters  of  this  population  are  nominally 
under  Spanish  rule,  but  the  insurrection  has  left  things  in  a  good 


THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES.     397 

deal  of  doubt.  The  remainder  of  the  people  are  governed  according 
to  their  own  customs,  by  independent  native  princes.  Education  is 
exceedingly  backward.  The  Eoman  Catholic  clergy  have  been  in- 
dustrious, and  probably  2,500,000  natives  are  nominal  converts  to 
the  Christian  religion;  but  education  has  advanced  very  little  among 
*them.  There  is  a  Roman  Catholic  archbishop  of  Manila,  besides  three 
bishops. 

The  history  of  the  Philippines  has  included  a  succession  of  revolu- 
tions against  Spanish  authority,  put  down  by  ferocious  warfare  and 
cruelty  on  the  part  of  the  victors.  The  conversion  and  subjugation  of 
the  islands  were  not  accompanied  by  quite  the  horrors  that  charac- 
terized the  Spanish  conquest  of  South  America,  but  the  record  is  sec- 
ond only  to  that.  Manila  was  captured  by  the  English  in  1762  and 
was  held  by  them  for  two  years  until  ransomed  by  the  Spanish  by  a 
payment  of  1,000,000  pounds.  Contests  with  rebellious  tribes,  attacks 
by  pirates,  volcanic  eruptions,  earthquakes  and  tornadoes  help  to  break 
the  monotony  of  the  history. 

Manila,  the  Capital  of  the  Colony. 

Manila,  the  capital  city  of  the  colony  and  of  Luzon,  the  largest 
island,  lies  628  miles,  or  sixty  hours'  easy  steaming,  southeast  of  Hong- 
kong, and  twice  that  distance  northeast  of  Singapore.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  city  is  about  330,000,  of  whom  only  10,000 — including  troops, 
government  officials  and  clergy — are  Europeans,  and  not  more  than 
500  are  English-speaking  people.  ,  A  few  American  houses  have 
branches  in  Manila,  so  that  there  is  an  American  population  of  per- 
haps 100.  The  city  faces  a  fine  bay,  into  which  flows  the  River  Pasig. 
Most  of  the  Europeans  live  in  Binondo,  a  beautiful  suburb  on  higher 
ground,  across  the  river.  There  are  many  native  dialects,  but  the 
social,  official  and  business  idiom  is  Spanish.  The  army  of  Spanish 
civil,  religious,  military  and  naval  officials  is  a  leech  on  the  people  in 
the  same  fashion  as  it  was  in  Cuba.  All  the  places  of  profit  are 
monopolized  by  them,  appointments  to  choice  offices  in  the  Philippines 
being  given  to  those  whom  it  is  desired  to  reward  for  service  to  the 
government  in  Spain.  It  is  quite  well  understood  that  such  an  appointee 
is  expected  to  gain  a  fortune  as  rapidly  as  he  can,  by  any  method 
possible,  so  that  he  may  give  way  for  some  one  else  to  be  brought  over 
from  Spain  for  a  similar  reward.  The  policy  is  the  same  as  the  colonial 
policy  of  Spain  in  Cuba  was,  and  the  same  results  have  followed. 

But,  indeed,  pillage  of  the  wretched  natives  is  the  almost  open  aim 


398     THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES. 

of  the  government — the  sole  end  for  which  it  is  organized  and  main- 
tained; so  why  should  petty  officials  be  scrupulous?  It  is  the  old  Ro- 
man provincial  system,  denounced  by  Cicero  2,000  years  ago,  but  in 
Spain  unforgotten  and  unimproved.  What  other  use  has  she  for  de- 
pendencies, except  as  a  source  of  revenue  wrung  by  torture  from  the 
misery  of  slaves,  and  incidentally  as  a  battening  ground  for  her  sav- 
age war  dogs?  Here  the  detestable  Weyler  is  said  to  have  accumu- 
lated a  fortune  of  several  millions  of  dollars  in  three  years — more 
than  twenty  times  the  whole  amount  of  his  salary! 

The  methods  employed  in  this  legalized  system  of  robbery  are  me- 
dieval in  character,  but  often  highly  ingenious.  One  of  them  is  the 
"cedula  personal,"  a  sort  of  passport.  Every  person  in  the  islands  and 
over  eighteen  years  of  age  and  accessible  to  the  authorities  is  required 
to  take  out  one  of  these  documents;  even  the  women  are  not  exempt. 
The  cedula  must  be  renewed  annually  and  the  cost  is  from  f  1.50  to  $25, 
according  to  circumstances — the  chief  circumstances  being  the  vic- 
tim's ability  to  pay.  This  in  a  country  where  wages  sometimes  fall  as 
low  as  five  cents  a  day!  And  any  one  who  holds  a  cedula  costing  less 
than  $3  is  further  required  to  render  the  government  fifteen  days  of 
unremunerated  labor. 

Instances  of  Petty  Extortion. 

But  the  cedula  is  only  one  device  out  of  many  for  extracting  gold 
from  the  refractory  ore  of  poverty.  A  hungry  native  cannot  kill  his 
own  hog  or  buffalo  for  meat  without  a  special  permit — which,  of 
course,  must  be  paid  for.  He  is  not  allowed  to  press  out  a  pint  of  co- 
coanut  oil  from  the  fruit  of  his  own  orchard  until  he  has  obtained  a 
license,  and  this  also  has  its  price.  The  orchard  itself  is  taxed;  every- 
thing is  taxed  in  the  Philippines. 

The  resident  Chinese  are  further  subjected  to  a  special  tax — whether 
for  existing  or  for  not  being  something  else  is  not  stated.  They  are 
not  popular  and  are  treated  with  the  most  shameless  injustice.  This 
the  following  incident  will  illustrate: 

Fires  are  very  frequent  in  Manila  and  very  destructive,  most  of  the 
houses  being  of  wood,  while  the  poorer  districts  are  a  mere  jumble  of 
bamboo  huts,  thousands  of  which  are  sometimes  consumed  in  a  day 
without  exciting  much  comment.  A  fire  in  the  business  portion,  how- 
ever, arouses  more  interest;  it  affords  opportunities  that  are  not  to 
be  neglected.  On  one  such  occasion,  where  the  scene  of  conflagration 
was  a  quarter  chiefly  occupied  by  Chinese  shops,  the  street  was  soon 


THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES.     399 

thronged  with  an  eager  mob.  The  poor  Chinamen,  acting  much  like 
crazed  cattle,  had  fled  into  their  upper  chambers  and  locked  the  doors, 
apparently  preferring  death  by  fire  to  the  treatment  they  were  likely 
to  receive  outside.  But  there  was  no  escape. 

The  "rescuers" — Spanish  soldiers — quickly  broke  in  with  axes  and 
after  emptying  the  money  boxes,  hurled  the  wretched  Mongolians  and 
all  their  goods  into  the  street,  to  be  dealt  with  at  discretion.  It  was  a 
mere  pretext  for  robbery  and  outrage,  as  many  of  the  shops  were  re- 
mote from  the  fire  and  in  no  danger.  The  next  morning  the  middle  of 
the  street  was  piled  high  with  soiled  and  broken  goods;  and  any  one 
who  cared  to  bribe  the  sentries  was  allowed  to  carry  away  as  much  as 
he  pleased.  All  day  long  the  carts  went  to  and  fro,  openly  conveying 
away  the  plunder.  The  owners  were  not  in  evidence;  what  had  be- 
come of  them  is  not  recorded.  Such  is  the  "fire  department"  in  Manila, 

Taxes  are  imposed  for  "improvements,"  but  no  improvements  are 
permitted  even  when  backed  by  foreign  capital.  The  roads  remain 
impassable  canals  of  mud,  education  is  a  farce,  the  introduction  of  ma- 
chinery is  frowned  upon  and  progress  is  obstructed. 

The  natural  resources  of  the  Philippines  are  very  good,  and  under 
a  civilized  administration  these  islands  would  be  rich  and  prosperous, 
But  the  mildew  of  Spanish  misgovernment  is  upon  everything  and  its 
perennial  blight  is  far  more  disastrous  than  the  worst  outbreaks  ol 
savagery  in  time  of  war.  His  total  inability  to  maintain  an  endurable 
government  in  time  of  peace  is  what  marks  the  Spaniard  as  hopelessly 
unfit  to  rule. 

Manila  has  cable  connection  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  res- 

•  7  O 

ular  lines  of  passenger  steamers.  The  European  colony  has  its  daily 
papers,  which  are,  however,  under  strict  censorship,  religious  and  mili- 
tary, and  keeps  up  with  the  news  and  the  fashions  of  the  day.  Until 
the  insurrection  of  the  last  two  years,  the  army,  except  two  Spanish 
brigades  of  artillery  and  a  corps  of  engineers,  was  composed  of  natives 
and  consisted  of  seven  regiments  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry.  There 
was  also  a  body  of  Spanish  militia  in  Manila,  a  volunteer  corps  similar 
to  the  one  which  was  always  maintained  in  Havana  under  Spanish 
rule,  which  could  be  called  out  by  the  captain-general  in  the  event 
of  need. 

Spain's  Feeble  Control  of  the  Islands. 

When  the  latest  insurrection  began,  Spain  shipped  to  its  far-off  col- 
ony all  the  men  who  could  be  spared  from  service  in  Cuba,  and  after 


400     THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES. 

a  few  months  of  fighting  it  was  announced  that  the  rebellion  was 
crushed.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  Spain  has  control  of  but  a  com- 
paratively small  part  of  the  islands,  and  the  natives  elsewhere  are  as 
free  from  obligation  to  pay  Spanish  taxes  as  they  wrere  before  the  dis- 
covery. 

Trade  restrictions  have  hampered  the  commercial  progress  of  the 
colony,  but  in  spite  of  that  fact  their  trade  with  the  outside  world  is 
a  large  one.  For  many  years  after  the  conquest  but  one  vessel  a  year 
was  permitted  to  ply  between  Manila  and  the  Spanish- American  port 
of  Acapulco.  Then  the  number  was  increased  to  five.  Then  a  Spanish 
chartered  company  was  given  a  monopoly  of  the  trade  of  the  islands. 
When  that  monopoly  expired,  other  houses  began  business,  until  finally 
many  large  English  and  German  firms  shared  the  trade,  while  Ameri- 
can houses  and  American  ships  were  by  no  means  at  the  foot  of  the 
list.  The  total  volume  of  the  exports  and  imports  is  about  f  75,000,000 
annually. 

The  manufactures  of  the  Philippines  consist  chiefly  of  textile  fab- 
rics of  pineapple  fiber,  silk  and  cotton;  hats,  mats,  baskets,  rope,  fur- 
niture, pottery  and  musical  instruments.  Vegetable  products  of  great 
value  are  indigo,  cocoa,  sugar,  rice,  bamboo,  hemp  and  tobacco.  Coffee, 
pepper  and  cassia  grow  wild  in  sufficient  quantity  and  quality  to  pro- 
vide a  living  for  those  who  wish  to  take  advantage  of  wrhat  nature  has 
provided.  Coal,  gold,  iron  and  copper  are  mined  with  profit.  The  soil 
is  exceedingly  fertile,  and  although  the  climate  is  tropical,  with  little 
change  except  between  wet  and  dry  seasons,  it  has  not  been  difficult 
for  Europeans  to  accustom  themselves  to  it.  The  largest  island  is 
nearly  500  .miles  long  and  125  miles  wide,  wrhile  others  are  more  than 
half  as  large.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  interior  of  these  great 
islands,  and  the  whole  of  hundreds  of  the  smaller  ones,  are  unexplored 
and  almost  unvisited  by  travelers  from  civilized  lands,  as  Spanish  ex- 
ploration has  been  of  little  practical  value  to  the  rest  of  the  world  or 
to  science. 

Puerto  Rico. 

Puerto  Kico,  the  smaller  of  the  two  islands  which  Spain  held  in 
the  West  Indies,  was  discovered  by  Columbus  in  1493  and  occupied  by 
soldiers  under  Ponce  de  Leon  early  in  the  sixteenth  century.  It  lies 
well  outside  the  Caribbean  sea,  in  the  open  Atlantic,  and  for  this  rea- 
son it  is  not  at  all  affected  climatically,  as  Cuba  is,  by  proximity  to  the 
continent.  Its  climate  is  determined  mostly  by  the  ocean,  whose 


THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES.     401 

breezes  sweep  constantly  over  the  entire  island,  tempering  deliciously 
the  tropical  heat  of  the  sun. 

The  surface  of  the  island  is  equally  favorable  to  excellent  climatic 
conditions.  It  has  no  mountains,  but  it  has  hills  that  extend  from  end 
to  end  of  it.  and  form  a  perfect  watershed  and  afford  drainage  for 
plains  and  valleys.  Thirteen  hundred  rivers,  forty-seven  of  them  navig- 
able, drain  3,500  square  miles  of  territory,  a  territory  as  large  as  the 
state  of  Delaware.  All  over  its  extent  are,  besides  the  principal  range 
of  hills  that  are  by  some  called  mountains,  round-topped  hills  of  finest 
soil,  which  are  nearly  every  one  cultivated.  In  summer  the  heat  is  not 
excessive  in  the  valleys  and  in  winter  ice  never  forms  on  the  hills.  It 
is  a  purely  agricultural  country  and  the  great  majority  of  the  natives 
are  farmers.  In  the  population  of  81*0,000  are  300,000  negroes,  who  are 
now  free,  and  since  their  freedom  have  gone  into  the  towns  and  cities 
and  found  work  in  the  sugar  mills  and  at  similar  employments. 

The  native  Puerto  Ricans  adhere  to  the  soil.  Their  labors  are  not 
severe  where  the  soil  is  loose  and  rich,  as  it  is  everywhere  except  near 
the  seashore,  and  for  reasons  already  stated  the  climate  is  very  favor- 
able to  a  comfortable  existence.  The  only  drawback  perhaps  to  this 
comfort  for  dwellers  on  the  island  is  lack  of  substantial  bridges  over 
the  many  streams  and  the  absence  of  good  roads. 

There  are  a  number  of  extensive  forests  on  the  island,  and  while 
they  resemble  in  their  main  outlines  those  of  the  other  West  India 
islands,  certain  varieties  of  trees  and  shrubs  exist  there  that  are  not 
seen  elsewhere.  Baron  Eggers,  who  in  1883  had  a  coffee  farm  of  2,000 
acres  just  coming  into  bearing,  found  leisure  from  his  other  employ- 
ments to  explore  some  of  the  forests  and — he  being  an  authority  on  the 
subject — the  facts  he  discovered  and  reported  have  been  regarded  of 
interest  by  travelers  and  students.  He  found  palms  and  a  strange 
variety  of  orchid,  but  the  palms  were  not  so  lofty,  nor  the  orchids  so 
rich  as  they  both  are  on  the  Caribbean  islands.  But  he  found  trees  of 
great  beauty  and  great  utility  in  manufactures  that  are  not  abundant 
on  the  other  islands,  if,  indeed,  they  are  ever  found  on  any  of  them. 

The  Baron  describes  writh  rapture  the  sabino,  so  called  by  the  na- 
tives, but  by  him  called  the  talauma;  it  is  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet 
high,  with  spreading  branches,  having  large  silvery  leaves  and  bearing 
immense  white,  odorous  flowers.  The  hietella  is  another  tree  that  has 
remarkable  leaves  and  yields  beautiful  crimson  flowers.  He  describes 
still  another  tree,  without  naming  it,  as  having  orangelike  foliage,  large 
purple  flowers,  and  as  having  in  its  neighborhood  other  trees,  different 


402     THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES. 

from  it,  but  resembling  it  and  evidently  allied  to  it.  This  tree,  he  says, 
is  not  found  elsewhere.  Still  another  tree,  the  ortegon,  whose  flowers 
are  purple  spikes  a  yard  long,  and  whose  wood  is  used  for  timber,  is 
common  on  the  high  lands  near  the  coast.  And  there  are  dye  woods, 
mahogany  and  lignum  vitae.  Hence  it  is  seen  that  the  forests  of  Puerto 
Rico  are  generally  beautiful,  and  strange  in  some  of  their  features. 

The  words  Puerto  Eico  are,  when  translated,  Eich  Port,  and  they 
are  very  applicable  to  this  snug  spot  in  the  Atlantic  ocean,  only  a  short 
distance  off  the  United  States  coast.  Every  variety  of  soil  is  adapted  to 
the  growth  of  a  particular  kind  of  crop.  The  highest  hills,  as  the  lowest 
valleys,  i  re  cultivated  with  reference  to  what  they  will  best  produce. 
On  the  hills,  rice;  in  the  valleys,  coffee,  cotton  and  sugar  cane;  on  the 
rising  grounds  between  the  valleys  and  hills,  tobacco.  Puerto  Eico  rice, 
unlike  that  of  the  Carolinas,  grows  on  dry  lands,  even  on  the  highest 
hills,  without  watering.  It  is  the  staple  food  of  the  laborers.  The  con- 
sular report  to  Washington  for  1897  says  the  product  of  coffee  that  year 
was  26,655  tons;  of  sugar,  54,205  tons,  and  of  tobacco,  1,039  tons.  The 
number  of  bales  of  cotton  is  not  given,  but  the  consul  expatiates  on  its 
fine  quality.  The  richness  of  the  sugar  lands  may  be  judged  from  this 
item  in  the  report:  "Three  hogsheads  of  sugar  is  an  average  yield  per 
acre,  without  using  fertilizers  of  any  kind." 

Puerto  Eico  is  one  of  the  finest  grazing  countries  in  the  world.  Its 
herds  of  cattle  are  immense,  and  from  them  are  supplied  cattle  of  a 
superior  quality  to  the  other  West  India  islands.  Great  quantities  of 
hides  are  shipped  to  various  countries. 

Though  richly  agricultural  as  the  island  is,  and  entitled  as  it  is  to 
be  regarded  as  exclusively  agricultural,  in  past  times  considerable  min- 
ing was  done  there,  in  gold,  copper  and  salt.  Indeed,  copper  is  still 
mined  to  a  small  extent,  and  salt  is  still  so  plentiful  that  the  govern- 
ment finds  a  profit  in  monopolizing  the  sale  of  it. 

Puerto  Eico  is  only  100  miles  in  length  and  from  fifty  to  sixty  miles 
in  breadth,  and  as  square  as  a  dry-goods  box.  East  and  west  and  north 
and  south  its  coast  lines  run  almost  as  regularly  as  if  projected  by  com- 
pass. It  is  the  delight  of  the  sailorman,  as  its  fertile  soil  is  the  joy  of 
the  agriculturist. 

The  harbor  of  San  Juan  is  the  chief  in  Puerto  Eico,  and  one  of  the 
best  of  its  size  in  the  Caribbean  sea.  It  is  safe  and  sheltered,  large  and 
land-locked,  and  though  the  entrance  is  somewhat  "foul,"  ships  draw- 
ing three  fathoms  can  enter  and  find  anchorage  within,  good  holding 
ground  being  had  at  any  depth  up  to  six  fathoms.  The  bay  is  broad  as 


THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES.     403 

well  as  beautiful,  and  opens  toward  the  north,  so  that  a  vessel  laying 
her  course  from  New  York  could,  if  there  were  no  obstructions  en  route, 
sail  directly  into  the  harbor. 

The  fortifications  which  surround  the  city  of  San  Juan  are,  like  the 
Spanish  pedigrees,  ancient,  flamboyant,  beautiful  to  look  at,  but  as 
worthless  withal.  This  city  of  about  25,000  inhabitants  is  completely 
inclosed  within  imposing  walls  of  stone  and  hardened  mortar  from  50  to 
100  feet  in  height.  They  have  picturesque  gates  and  drawbridges,  port- 
cullises and  demilunes,  quaint  old  sentry  boxes  projecting  into  the  sea, 
frowning  battlements,  and  all  that;  bv+  most  of  their  cannon  date  back 
from  the  last  century. 

In  ancient  times  the  chief  fort  or  castle  was  called  the  "morro,"  or 
Moorish  tower,  because  it  was  generally  round;  and  San  Juan,  like  Ha- 
vana, has  its  Morro  as  the  mpst  prominent  point  of  its  fortifications.  It 
stands  on  a  bluff  jutting  out  from  the  city  walls  and  has  a  lighthouse 
immediately  in  the  rear  of  it.  Against  the  seaw^ard  front  of  the  mas- 
sive walls  the  ocean  pounds  and  thunders,  but  the  landward  harbor  is 
quiet  and  safe  for  any  craft.  A  broad  parade  ground  is  inclosed  within 
the  walls,  westward  from  the  citadel,  and  not  far  off  is  the  oldest  house 
in  the  city,  no  less  a  structure  than  the  ancient  castle  of  Ponce  de  Leon, 
one-time  governor  here  and  discoverer  of  Florida.  His  ashes  are  also 
kept  here,  in  a  leaden  case,  for  Ponce  the  Lion-Hearted  was  a  great  man 
in  his  day  and  cleaned  out  the  Indians  of  this  island  with  a  thorough 
ness  that  earned  him  an  exceeding  great  reward. 

Just  under  the  northern  wall  of  the  castle  is  the  public  cemetery,  the 
gate  to  it  overhung  by  an  ornate  sentry  box,  and  the  bones  of  evicted 
tenants  of  graves  whose  terms  of  rental  have  expired,  are  piled  in  the 
corners  of  the  inclosure.  The  prevailing  winds  by  day  are  from  the  sea 
landward;  by  night,  from  the  inland  mountains  toward  the  coast.  Far 
inland  rises  the  conical  summit  of  the  great  Luquillo,  a  mountain  about 
4,000  feet  in  height,  and  from  whose  sides  descend  streams  that  fertilize 
the  island. 

It  is  about  ninety  miles  from  San  Juan  to  Ponce,  the  southern  port, 
by  a  fine  road  diagonally  across  the  island.  The  Spaniards  generally 
are  poor  road-builders,  but  in  this  island  they  have  done  better  than  in 
Cuba,  and  one  may  travel  here  with  a  fair  amount  of  comfort  to  the  mile. 
There  are  several  lines  of  railroads  building,  a  system  being  projected 
around  the  island  340  miles  in  length. 

The  city  of  Ponce  is  the  largest,  writh  a  population  of  about  38,000 
and  an  export  trade  of  vast  extent.  It  is  the  chief  sugar-shipping  point, 


404     THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES. 

though  it  has  no  good  harbor,  and  lies  nearly  three  miles  from  the  sea. 
It  is  a  rather  fine  city,  with  a  pretty  plaza  and  a  grand  cathedral,  and 
its  houses,  like  those  of  San  Juan,  are  all  built  of  stone. 

Other  harbors  are:  On  the  east  coast,  Fajardo  and  Humacao;  on  the 
north,  besides  San  Juan,  Arrecibo;  on  the  west,  Aguadilla  and  Maya- 
guez,  at  the  former  of  which  Columbus  watered  his  caravels  in  1493,  and 
where  the  original  spring  still  gushes  forth. 

Going  with  Puerto  Kico  are  two  small  islands  called  Culebra  and 
Vieque,  mainly  inhabited  by  fishermen,  but  with  fine  forests  of  dye  and 
cabinet  woods  to  be  exploited.  The  commerce  of  the  island  is  mainly 
with  the  United  States.  We  gained  $1,000,000  a  year  in  exports  to  this 
island  for  the  last  ten  years,  and  nearly  $3,000,000  in  imports.  With 
a  staple  government  and  under  wise  control,  Puerto  Rico  will  more 
nearly  attain  to  its  full  productiveness.  The  annual  sugar  yield  is  esti- 
mated at  near  70,000  tons;  that  of  coffee,  17,000  tons;  bananas,  nearly 
200,000,000;  cocoanuts,  3,000,000,  and  tobacco,  7,000,000  pounds.  Gold 
was  originally  abundant  here,  and  copper,  iron  and  lead  have  been 
found.  With  enterprise  and  protection  to  life  and  property  they  will 
be  profitably  exploited. 

Colonial  Possessions  of  Spain. 

The  loss  of  Cuba  and  Puerto  Rico  did  not  leave  Spain  without 
colonial  possessions,  as  the  subjoined  table  will  show: 

Area — English  ^ 
square  miles.    Population. 

Philippine  Islands  114,326  7,000,000 

Sulu  Islands 950  75,000 

Caroline  Islands  and  Palaos 560  36,000 

Marianne  Islands 420  10,172 


Total  Asiatic  possessions 116,256  7,121,172 

Possessions  in  Africa — 

Rio  de  Oro  and  Adrar 243,000  100,000 

Ifni 27  6,000 

Fernando  Po,  Annabon,  Corsico,  Elobey,  San  Juan. . . .        850  30,000 


Total  African  possessions 243,877  136.000 

The  Sulu  archipelago  lies  southwest  of  the  Island  of  Mindanao,  and 
directly  south  of  Manila  and  the  Mindora  sea.     The  chief  island  gives 


CLARA  BARTON— "THE  ANGEL  OF  THE  SICK  ROOM" 


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THE  PHILIPPINES,  PUERTO  RICO,  AND  OTHER  COLONIES.     407 

its  name  to  the  group,  which  extends  to  the  three-mile  limit  of  Borneo. 
The  area  of  the  whole  is  estimated  at  950  square  miles;  the  population 
at  75,000  Melanesians. 

The  Caroline  and  Marianne,  or  Ladrone  Islands,  are  more  numerous, 
but  scarcely  as  important  or  as  populous  as  the  Sulu  group.  They  be- 
long to  what  is  sometimes  known  as  Micronesia,  from  the  extreme  di- 
minutiveness  of  the  land  masses.  The  two  groups  are  east  and  northeast 
of  the  Philippines,  and  in  easy  sailing  reach  from  Manila.  From  east 
to  west  they  are  spread  over  30-odd  degrees  of  longitude,  and  from  north 
to  south  over  20  degrees  of  latitude. 

The  inhabited  islands  are  of  coral  formation,  generally  not  over  ten 
or  twelve  feet  above  high  water  mark.  They  are,  in  fact,  heaps  of  sand 
and  seaweed  blown  over  the  coral  reefs.  Most  of  these  islands  are  nar- 
row bands  of  land  from  a  few  yards  to  a  third  of  a  mile  across,  with  a 
lagoon  partly  or  wholly  inclosed  by  the  reef.  Cocoanuts  and  fish  are 
the  chief  reliance  of  the  natives,  who  are  an  inferior  species,  even  for 
Polynesians. 

First  and  most  attractive  of  the  African  dependencies,  both  by  rea- 
son of  natural  resources  and  of  their  advantages  as  a  naval  base,  are  the 
Canaries,  which  are  regarded  as  a  part  of  the  Spanish  kingdom  proper, 
so  long  and  so  secure  has  been  the  hold  of  Spain  upon  them. 

More  extensive  in  area,  if  not  more  attractive  for  residence  purposes, 
is  the  sandy,  partially  desert  stretch  bearing  the  names  of  Rio  de  Oro 
(River  of  Gold),  and  Adrar.  The  imaginary  line  familiar  to  schoolboys 
under  the  name  of  the  Tropic  of  Cancer  has  an  especial  fondness  for  this 
region,  passing  near  the  north  and  south  center.  The  district  is  close  to 
the  Canaries  on  its  northern  edge,  and  it  is  ruled  by  a  sub-governor 
under  the  Governor  of  the  Canaries.  There  are  two  small  settlements 
on  the  coast.  The  only  glory  Spain  gets  from  this  possession  is  that  of 
seeing  its  color  mark  on  the  maps  of  Africa. 

Of  the  other  African  possessions  enumerated  some  are  hardly  big 
enough  to  be  seen  on  an  ordinary  map  without  the  aid  of  a  microscope. 
Corisco  is  a  little  stretch  of  coast  around  an  inlet  just  south  of  Cape  St. 
John,  near  the  equator.  Fernando  Po  Island  will  be  found  right  in  the 
inner  crook  of  the  big  African  elbow.  Annabon  Island  is  off  Cape  Lopez. 

Another  possession  or  claim  of  the  decadent  peninsula  monarchy  re- 
mains to  be  catalogued — the  country  on  the  banks  of  the  Muni  and 
Campo  rivers,  69,000  square  miles,  and  containing  a  population  of  500,- 
000.  The  title  to  this  section  is  also  claimed  by  France. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 
PROGRESS    OF    HOSTILITIES. 

Eagerness  to  Fight — Matanzas  Bombarded — Weyler's  Brother-in-law  a  Prin 
oner  pf  War — The  Situation  in  Havana^— Blanco  Makes  a  Persona? 
Appeal  to  Gomez — The  Reply  of  a  Patriot — "One  Race,  Mankind"-- 
The  Momentum  of  War — Our  Position  Among  Nations. 

The  striking  peculiarity  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  was  the 
general  eagerness  to  fight.  There  have  been  wars  in  which  there  was* 
much  maneuvering  and  blustering,  but  no  coming  to  blows.  There  have 
been  campaigns  on  sea  and  land  in  which  commanders  exhausted  the 
devices,  of  strategy  to  keep  out  of  each  other's  way,  but  in  this  war  the 
Americans  strained  strategy,  evaded  rules,  and  sought  excuses  to  get  at 
the  Spaniards. 

Given  a  Spanish  fortified  town  and  an  American  fleet,  and  there  was 
a  bombardment  on  short  notice.  Given  a  Spanish  fort  and  a  Yankee 
gunboat,  and  there  was  a  fight.  There  were  no  "all-quiet-on-the-Poto- 
mac"  or  "nothing-new-before-Paris"  refrains.  The  Americans  knew 
they  were  right,  and  they  went  ahead. 

Matanzas  Bombarded. 

The  first  actual  bombardment  of  Cuban  forts  took  place  on  April 
27th  at  Matanzas,  when  three  ships  of  Admiral  Sampson's  fleet,  the  flag- 
ship New  York,  the  monitor  Puritan,  and  the  cruiser  Cincinnati,  opened 
fire  upon  the  fortifications.  The  Spaniards  had  been  actively  at  work  on 
the  fortifications  at  Punta  Gorda,  and  it  was  the  knowledge  of  this  fact 
that  led  Admiral  Sampson  to  shell  the  place,  the  purpose  being  to  pre- 
vent their  completion. 

A  small  battery  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  bay  opened  fire  on  the  New 
York,  and  the  flagship  quickly  responded  with  her  heavy  guns.  Prob- 
ably twTenty-five  eight-inch  shells  were  sent  from  the  battery  at  our 
ships,  but  all  of  them  fell  short.  A  few  blank  shells  were  also  fired 
from  the  incomplete  battery. 

One  or  two  of  those  whizzed  over  Admiral  Sampson's  flagship.  After 
completing  their  work  the  ships  put  out  to  the  open  sea,  the  flagship 

408 


PROGRESS   OF    HOSTILITIES.  409 

returning  to  its  post  off  Havana,  while  the  Cincinnati  and  the  Puritan 
remained  on  guard  off  Matanzas.  While  the  flagship  New  York,  her 
sister  cruiser,  the  Cincinnati,  and  the  monitor  Puritan  were  locating  the 
defenses  of  Matanzas  harbor  the  batteries  guarding  the  entrance  opened 
fire  on  the  New  York.  Their  answer  was  a  broadside  from  Admiral 
Sampson's  flagship,  the  first  fire  being  from  the  forward  eight-inch  gun 
on  the  port  side.  The  monitor  attacked  the  Point  Maya  fortification, 
the  flagship  went  in  close  and  shelled  Bubalcaya  Point,  while  the  Cin- 
cinnati was  soon  at  work  shelling  the  fortification  on  the  west  side  of 
the  bay.  In  less  than  twenty  minutes  Admiral  Sampson's  warships 
had  silenced  the  Spanish  batteries. 

The  explosive  shells  from  the  forts  fell  wide  of  the  ships.  The  last 
one  fired  from  the  shore  was  from  Point  Kubalcaya.  The  monitor 
Puritan  let  go  with  a  shot  from  one  of  her  twelve-inch  guns,  and  its  effect 
was  seen  when  a  part  of  the  fortification  went  into  the  air.  The  battery 
at  Maya  was  the  stronger  of  the  two  and  its  fire  more  constant,  but  all 
its  shells  failed  to  hit  our  ships. 

The  target  practice  of  the  flagship  was  an  inspiring  sight.  At  every 
shot  from  her  batteries,  clouds  of  dust  and  big  pieces  of  stone  showed 
where  the  Spanish  forts  were  suffering.  The  New  York,  after  reducing 
the  range  from  over  six  thousand  to  three  thousand  yards,  fired  shells  at 
the  rate  of  three  a  minute  into  the  enemy's  forts,  each  one  creating 
havoc.  The  Puritan  took  equally  good  care  of  Point  Maya.  When  she 
succeeded  in  getting  the  range,  her  gunners  landed  a  shell  inside  the 
works  at  every  shot. 

When  permission  was  given  to  the  Cincinnati  to  take  part  in  the  first 
battle  between  Yankee  and  Spanish  forces,  the  cruiser  came  up  to 
within  2,000  yards  of  the  shore,  and  almost  immediately  her  guns  were 
at  work.  Cadet  Boone  on  the  flagship  fired  the  first  gun  in  answer  to 
the  Spanish  batteries. 

The  Spanish  mail  steamer  Argonauta,  Captain  Lage,  was  convoyed 
into  Key  West  harbor  by  the  United  States  cruiser  Marblehead  on  May 
3.  Colonel  Vicente  De  Cortijo  of  the  Third  Spanish  cavalry,  who,  with 
nineteen  other  army  officers,  was  taken  on  the  prize,  is  a  brother-in-law 
of  Lieutenant  General  Valeriano  Weyler.  Coltinel  De  Cortijo  and  the 
other  officers  were  transferred  to  the  Guido  and  the  privates  to  the 
Ambrosio  Bolivar,  two  other  trophies  of  the  first  week  of  the  war. 

The  Argonauta  herself  was  no  mean  prize,  being  of  1,000  tons  burden, 
but  the  value  of  the  capture  was  mainly  in  the  prisoners  of  war  and  the 
mail  matter  going  to  General  Blanco.  Her  cargo  was  general  mer- 


410  PROGRESS    OF    HOSTILITIES. 

chandise,  with  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  and  supplies  for  the 
Spanish  troops  in  Cuba. 

The  Situation  in  Havana. 

A  correspondent  wrote  from  Havana,  on  the  3d  of  May,  as  follows : 

"The  dispatch  boat  succeeded  again  to-day  in  opening  communica- 
tion with  Havana,  and  your  correspondent  brought  away  with  him  the 
morning  papers  of  yesterday. 

"The  City  of  Havana  is  a  sad  sight.  There  are  still  a  few  of  the 
reconcentrados  about  the  streets  now,  but  starvation  has  ended  the 
misery  of  most  of  them,  and  their  bones  have  been  thrown  into  the 
trenches  outside  of  the  city. 

"Starvation  now  faces  the  Spanish  citizens  themselves.  Havana  is  a 
graveyard.  Two-thirds  of  the  inhabitants  have  fled.  The  other  third  is 
beginning  to  feel  the  pangs  of  hunger. 

"The  prices  rival  those  of  Klondike.  Beefsteak  is  f  1  a  pound.  Chick- 
ens are  f  1  each.  Flour  is  $50  a  barrel.  Everything  is  being  confiscated 
for  Blanco's  army.  Sleek,  well-fed  persons  are  daily  threatened  with 
death  to  make  them  divulge  the  whereabouts  of  their  hidden  stores  of 
provisions. 

"Several  provision  stores  in  the  side  streets  have  been  broken  into 
and  looted.  General  Blanco  is  being  strongly  urged  to  sink  artesian 
wells  to  provide  water  in  the  event  of  a  siege,  as  a  joint  attack  by  the 
Cuban  and  American  forces  would  destroy  the  aqueduct.  It  is  not 
thought  that  Blanco  will  attempt  this,  as  he  will  not  have  sufficient  time. 

"A  bulletin  posted  on  the  wall  of  the  palace  this  morning  announced 
that  the  mail  steamship  Aviles  from  Nuevitasa  and  the  Cosine  Herra 
from  Sagua  arrived  last  night.  It  is  also  stated  that  the  Spanish  brig 
Vigilante  arrived  .at  Matanzas  from  Montevideo  with  food  supplies  for 
the  government. 

"The  palace  of  the  Captain  General  is  practically  deserted  since  the ' 
blockade  began.  Blanco  has  personally  taken  command  of  Mariena  bat- 
tery, and  is  directing  the  erection  of  new  sand  batteries  all  along  the 
water  front  west  of  the  entrance  to  Havana  Bay.  Lieutenant  General 
Perrado  is  making  Guanabacoa  his  headquarters,  and  is  planting  new 
batteries  and  strengthening  the  fortifications  as  much  as  possible.  Over 
300  draymen  are  engaged  in  the  hauling  of  sand  from  the  mouth  of 
Almandres  for  use  in  the  construction  of  the  earthworks  along  the 
coast,  and  in  the  city  suburbs  all  draymen  have  been  ordered  to  report 


PROGRESS   OF    HOSTILITIES.  411 

for  volunteer  duty  with  their  drays.    The  streets  are  riotous  with  half- 
drunken  Spanish  volunteers  crying  for  American  and  Cuban  blood. 

"At  night  the  city  is  wrapped  in  darkness,  all  gas  and  electric  lights 
being  shut  off  by  order  of  Blanco.  Spanish  soldiers  are  taking  ad- 
vantage of  this  to  commit  shocking  outrages  upon  unprotected  Cuban 
families.  In  spite  of  these  direful  circumstances  Blanco  has  ordered 
the  decoration  of  the  city,  hoping  to  incite  the  patriotism  of  the  pop- 
ulace." 

Blanco  Makes  a  Personal  Appeal  to  Gomez. 

On  May  4  General  Blanco  made  a  supreme  effort  to  win  over  the 
Cuban  forces,  writing  a  letter  to  General  Gomez.  A  copy  of  this  letter 
and  the  answer  of  General  Gomez  were  found  upon  Commander  Lima, 
who  was  picked  up  by  the  Tecumseh  fifteen  miles  from  Havana.  The  let- 
ter of  General  Blanco  wras  as  follows: 

General  Maximo  Gomez,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Revolutionary  Forces: 

Sir — It  cannot  be  concealed  from  you  that  the  Cuban  problem  has  radi 
cally  changed.     We  Spaniards  and  Cubans  find  ourselves  facing  a  foreign 
people  of  different  race,  of  a  naturally  absorbent  tendency,  and  with  inten- 
tions not  only  to  deprive  Spain  of  her  flag  over  the  Cuban  soil,  but  also  to 
exterminate  the  Cuban  people,  due  to  its  having  Spanish  blood. 

The  supreme  moment  has,  therefore,  arrived  in  which  we  should  forget 
cur  past  misunderstandings,  and  in  which,  united  by  the  interests  of  our  own 
defense,  we,  Spaniards  and  Cubans,  must  repel  the  invader. 

General,  due  to  these  reasons,  I  propose  to  make  alliance  of  both  armies 
in  the  City  of  Santa  Clara.  The  Cubans  will  receive  the  arms  of  the  Spanish 
army,  and  with  the  cry  of  "Viva  Espana!"  and  "Viva  Cuba!"  we  shall  repel 
the  invader  and  free  from  a  foreign  yoke  the  descendants  of  the  same  people. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

RAMON  BLANCO. 

To  this  General  Gomez  replied  as  follows: 

Sir — I  wonder  how  you  dare  to  write  me  again  about  terms  of  peace  when 
you  know  that  Cubans  and  Spaniards  can  never  be  at  peace  on  the  soil  of 
Cuba.  You  represent  on  this  continent  an  old  and  discredited  monarchy. 
We  are  fighting  for  an  American  principle,  the  same  as  that  of  Bolivar  and 
Washington. 

You  say  we  belong  to  the  same  race  and  invite  me  to  fight  against  a 
foreign  invader,  but  you  are  mistaken  again,  for  there  are  no  differences  of 
races  and  blood.  I  only  believe  in  one  race,  mankind,  and  for  me  there  are 
but  good  and  bad  nations,  Spain  so  far  having  been  a  bad  one  and  the  United 


412  PROGRESS    OF    HOSTILITIES. 

States  performing  in  these  movements  toward  Cuba  a  duty  of  humanity  and 
civilization. 

From  the  wild,  tawny  Indian  to  the  refined,  blond  Englishman,  a  man  for 
me  is  worthy  of  respect  according  to  his  honesty  and  feelings,  no  matter  to 
what  country  or  race  he  belongs  or  what  religion  he  professes. 

So  are  nations  for  me,  and  up  to  the  present  I  have  had  only  reasons  for 
admiring  the  United  States.  I  have  written  to  President  McKinley  and 
General  Miles  thanking  them  for  American  intervention  in  Cuba.  I  don't  see 
the  danger  of  our  extermination  by  the  United  States,  to  which  you  refer  in 
your  letter.  If  it  be  so,  history  will  judge.  For  the  present  I  have  to  repeat 
that  it  is  too  late  for  any  understanding  between  my  army  and  yours. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

MAXIMO  GOMEZ. 

One  Race — Mankind. 

The  reply  of  Gomez  to  Blanco  will  live  in  history.  Blanco's  strange 
•  appeal  to  the  Cuban  general  was  characteristic  of  a  Spaniard.  It  would 
seem  that  an  intelligent  man  would  not  have  made  such  an  appeal,  well 
knowing  that  it  would  be  useless.  For  three  years  Gomez  had  waged 
what  to  many  seemed  to  be  a  hopeless  fight.  After  these  years  of  sacri- 
fice he  obtained  the  United  States  as  an  ally,  an  acquisition  that  assured 
him  of  final  success.  Under  these  circumstances  Blanco,  the  repre- 
'sentative  of  the  forces  against  which  Gomez  had  been  contending,  ap- 
pealed to  Gomez  to  join  with  him  in  an  effort  to  repel  the  United  States 
forces.  Such  an  appeal  under  the  circumstances,  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  Blanco  was  regarded  as  an  intelligent  man,  showed  the  Spaniard 
to  be  incapable  of  appreciating  the  sentiments  which  prompted  a  people 
to  maintain  a  struggle  for  liberty. 

General  Blanco  based  his  appeal  upon  the  claim  that  the  Cuban  and 
the  Spaniard  belonged  to  the  same  race  and  worshiped  at  the  same 
shrine.  He  sought  to  stir  up  within  Gomez'  breast  racial  and  religious 
prejudices,  and  went  so  far  as  to  suggest  that  in  the  event  Gomez 
united  his  forces  with  those  of  Blanco,  Spain  would  give  liberty  to  Cuba, 
and  would  "open  her  arms  to  another  new  daughter  of  the  nations  of 
the  new  world  who  speak  her  language,  profess  her  religion  and  feel  in 
their  veins  the  noble  Spanish  blood." 

Gomez'  letter  was  interesting  for  several  reasons.  To  those  who  had 
pictured  him  as  a  coarse,  illiterate  man  this  letter  was  a  revelation.  "  It 
was  not,  however,  a  surprise  to  those  who  had  carefully  studied  Gomez' 
career  and  who  understand  that  he  was  a  scholarly  man  as  well  as  a 
thorough  soldier. 


PROGRESS    OF    HOSTILITIES.  413 

"I  only  believe  in  one  race,  mankind,"  said  Gomez,  and  that  sentence 
will  occupy  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  history  of  this  continent. 

"From  the  wild,  tawny  Indian  to  the  refined,  blond  Englishman," 
said  Gomez,  "a  man  for  me  is  respectful  according  to  his  honesty  and 
feelings,  no  matter  to  what  country  or  race  he  belongs  or  what  religion 
he  professes.  So  are  nations  for  me."  Such  excellent  sentiments  were 
doubtless  wasted  on  the  Spaniard,  but  men  of  all  civilized  nations,  even 
we  of  the  United  'States,  may  find  great  value  in  these  splendid  ex- 
pressions by. the  Cuban  general. 

The  man  who  believes  that  there  is  but  one  race  to  whom  we  owe 
allegiance,  that  that  race  is  mankind,  and  that  to  that  race  he  owes  all 
allegiance,  must  have  his  heart  in  the  right  place.  The  man  who  dis- 
cards the  consideration  of  accident  of  birth  and,  ap-art  from  patriotic 
affairs,  applies  the  term  "comrade"  to  all  of  God's  creatures,  that  man 
has  not  studied  in  vain  the  purposes  of  creation.  The  man  who  forms 
his  estimate  of  individuals  according  to  the  manhood  displayed  by  the 
individual,  banishing  from  his  mind  all  racial  and  religious  prejudices, 
must  certainly  have  studied  the  lesson  of  life  to  good  advantage. 

"I  only  believe  in  one  race,  mankind."  That  is  a  sentiment  that  the 
religious  instructors  and  the  sages  have  endeavored  to  impress  upon 
us.  But  1she  combined  efforts  of  all  the  -instructors  and  all  the  sages  in 
teaching  of  the  brotherhood  of  man  have  not  been  so  impressive  as  was 
the  simple  statement  of  this  splendid  patriot  wherein  he  repelled  the 
temptation  to  racial  and  religious  prejudice. 

Mankind  is  the  race,  and  the  honest  man's  the  man,  no  matter  to 
what  country  he  belongs  or  what  religion  he  professes.  That  was  a 
sentiment  of  Maximo  Gomez,  the  Cuban'patriot,  the  clean-cut  American, 
a  sentiment  to  which  the  intelligence  of  the  world  will  subscribe  and 
in  the  light  of  which  prejudice  must  finally  fade  away. 

The  Momentum  of  War. 

As  far  .as  the  American  people  were  concerned,  the  destruction  of  the 
Maine  was  the  beginning  of  hostilities.  The  Nation  dropped,  on  the 
instant,  the  slow-going  habits  of  peace,  and  caught  step  to  the  intense 
and  swift  impulse  of  war.  Great  events  crowded  one  another  to  such 
an  extent  that  we  made  more  history  in  sixty  days  than  in  the  preceding 
thirty  years.  The  movement  was  not  at  wild  drifting,  but  was  as 
straight,  swift,  and  resistless  as  that  of  a  cannon  ball.  There  was  an 
object  in  view,  and  the  government  and  the  people  went  straight  at  it. 


414  PROGRESS   OF    HOSTILITIES. 

When  the  Maine  was  destroyed  our  navy  was  scattered,  our  army 
was  at  thirty  different  posts  in  as  many  States,  there  were  no  volunteers 
in  the  field,  no  purpose  of  war  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  The  Spanish 
hold  on  Cuba  seemed  secure;  no  one  thought  of  Spain's  yielding  Puerto 
Rico  or  the  Philippine  islands.  The  people  could  not  be  brought  to 
serious  consideration  of  the  Cuban  question,  and  they  were  indifferent 
to  the  fate  of  Hawaii.  They  held  back  when  any  one  talked  of  our 
rights  in  the  Pacific,  and  had  little  enthusiasm  in  the  plans  to  strengthen 
our  navy  and  our  coast  defenses.  All  these  questions  were  urgent,  but 
the  people  hesitated  and  Congress  hesitated  with  them. 

The  explosion  that  destroyed  our  battleship  and  slaughtered  our 
seamen  cut  e^ery  rope  that  bound  us  to  inaction.  In  a  week  the  navy 
was  massed  for  offensive  movement.  In  three  weeks  $50,000,000  had 
been  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  President  to  forward  the  preparations 
for  national  defense.  In  a  month  new  war  vessels  had  been  purchased, 
the  old  monitors  had  been  repaired  and  put  in  commission,  the  Ameri- 
can liners  had  been  transferred  to  the  navy.  In  two  months  war  had 
been  declared,  the  reorganized  North  Atlantic  squadron  had  blockaded 
Cuban  ports,  and  the  regular  army  was  moving  hurriedly  to  rendezvous 
in  the  South.  In  another  week  125,000  volunteers  were  crowding  the 
State  capitals. 

Under  the  momentum  of  war  we  swept  forward  in  a  few  weeks  to 
the  most  commanding  position  we  had  ever  occupied  among  nations. 
Without  bluster  or  boast  we  impressed  the  world  with  our  strength, 
and  made  clear  the  righteousness  of  our  cause.  We  proved  that  a  repub- 
lic wedded  to  peace  can  prepare  quickly  for  war,  and  that  a  popular 
government  is  as  quick  and  powerful  as  a  monarchy  to  avenge  insuli  or 
wrong. 


CHAPTEK  XLVIII. 
SEA  FIGHT    OFF    MANILA,    AMERICANS    VICTORIOUS. 

The  Eyes  of  the  World  Fixed  on  the  First  Great  Naval  Battle  of  Our  War 
with  Spain — Asiatic  Waters  the  Scene  of  the  Notable  Conflict — Im- 
portance of  the  Battle  in  Its  Possible  Influence  on  the  Construction 
of  All  the  European  Navies — Bravery  of  Admiral  Dewey  and  the 
American  Sailors  of  His  Fleet — A  Glorious  Victory  for  the  Star- 
Spangled  Banner — Capture  of  Manila  and  Destruction  of  the  Spanish 
Fleet. 

Seldom  has  the  attention  of  all  the  world  been  so  directed  upon  an 
expected  event  in  a  remote  quarter  of  the  globe,  as  during  the  few 
days  at  the  end  of  April  when  the  American  fleet  in  Asiatic  waters 
was  steaming  toward  an  attack  on  Manila,  the  capital  of  the  Philip- 
pine islands.  The  eyes  of  every  civilized  country  wTere  strained  to  see 
what  would  be  the  result  of  the  encounter  which  was  certain  to  come. 

It  was  recognized  frankly  by  the  authorities  on  warfare  every- 
where, that  the  outcome  of  this  first  great  naval  battle  would  go  far 
toward  deciding  the  fortunes  of  the  entire  war.  But  the  importance 
of  the  event  from  this  point  of  view  was  less  than  that  from  another 
which  interested  the  governments  of  all  Europe.  This  first  test  of  the 
modern  fighting  machine  at  sea  was  expected  to  furnish  lessons  by 
which  the  merits  of  such  vessels  could  be  definitely  judged.  It  might 
be  that  they  would  prove  far  less  efficient  than  had  been  calculated  by 
the  lords  of  the  admiralty,  and  that  the  millions  and  millions  invested 
in  the  fleets  of  Europe  wrould  be  found  virtually  wasted.  It  was  this, 
quite  as  much  as  its  bearing  on  the  war,  that  made  universal  attention 
direct  itself  upon  the  meeting  of  the  squadrons  in  the  Philippines. 

All  America  rejoiced  at  the  news  that  came  flashing  over  the  cables 
on  Sunday,  May  1,  when  the  first  word  of  the  battle  reached  the  United 
States.  Even  Spanish  phrases  could  not  conceal  the  fact  that  the  en- 
counter had  been  a  brilliant  victory  for  the  valor  of  American  sailors, 
and  the  strength  of  American  ships.  A  Spanish  fleet  of  superior  size 
virtually  annihilated,  a  city  in  terror  of  capture,  the  insurgent  armies 
at  the  gates  of  Manila,  the  losses  of  Spanish  soldiers  and  sailors  ad- 
mittedly great,  and  finally  the  sullen  roar  of  discontent  that  was  risin«- 

415 


413          SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

against  the  government  in  Madrid — all  these  things  indicated  that  the 
victory  had  been  an  overwhelming  one  for  the  Asiatic  squadron  under 
Admiral  George  Dewey. 

As  the  details  of  the  engagement  began  to  multiply,  in  spite  of 
Spanish  censorate  over  the  cables,  which  garbled  the  facts  as  gener- 
ously as  possible  in  favor  of  the  Spanish  forces,  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
people  throughout  the  cities  and  villages  of  America  swelled  in  a  ris- 
ing tide  of  jo}7  and  gratitude  for  the  victory  that  had  been  given  to 
them.  From  Eastport  to  San  Diego,  and  from  Key  West  to  Seattle, 
flags  flashed  forth  and  cheers  of  multitudes  rose  toward  the  sky. 
Around  the  newspaper  bulletins,  throngs  gathered  to  read  the  first 
brief  reports,  and  then  scattered  to  spread  the  news  among  their  own 
neighbors.  Seldom  has  an  event  been  known  so  widely  throughout  the 
country  with  as  little  delay  as  was  this  news  of  an  American  victory 
in  the  antipodes.  There  was  a  sense  of  elation  and  relief  over  the  re- 
sult, and  an  absolute  assurance  grew  in  every  one's  mind  that  no  re- 
verse to  American  arms  could  come  in  the  threatened  conflicts  ashore 
or  at  sea. 

A  Nation  in  Suspense. 

But  after  the  first  news  of  victory  was  received  there  came  a  period 
of  delay.  It  was  learned  that  the  cable  between  Manila  and  Hong- 
kong had  been  cut,  and  the  only  means  of  immediate  communication 
was  suspended. 

Then  came  fretful  days  of  waiting  and  not  a  word  further  as  to  the 
great  battle.  To  add  to  the  anxiety,  from  time  to  time  came  ugly 
rumors  about  Admiral  Dewey  being  trapped,  and  when  all  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case  were  considered  it  is  not  strange  that  some- 
thing like  a  chill  of  apprehension  began  to  be  felt  as  to  the  fate  of  the 
American  fleet  and  its  gallant  coinrnancher.  Manila  bay  wras  known 
to  be  mined,  and  electric  connections  might  again  have  been  made. 
The  guns  of  the  forts  on  the  landlocked  bay  might  not  have  been 
silenced,  and  Spanish  treachery  and  guile  might  have  accomplished 
what  in  open  battle  Spain's  fleet  had  been  unable  to  do. 

But  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  May  brought  word  from  Hongkong 
that  sent  a  thrill  of  patriotic  pride  through  all  America.  Our  Yankee 
tars  had  won  the  fight,  and  won  it  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

Even  those  who  witnessed  the  overwhelming  victory  could  scarcely 
understand  how  the  ships  and  the  men  of  Admiral  Dewey's  vessels 
came  out  of  the  battle  unhurt  and  practically  unmarked. 


SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS.          417 

Soon  after  midnight  on  Sunday  morning,  May  1,  the  American  fleet, 
led  by  the  flagship  Olympia,  the  largest  vessel  among  them,  passed 
unnoticed  the  batteries  which  were  attempting  to  guard  the  wide 
entrance  to  the  harbor.  Each  vessel  had  orders  to  keep  400  yards 
behind  the  preceding  one,  and  as  there  were  nine  vessels,  including  the 
two  transports  and  colliers  Nanshan  and  Zafiro,  in  the  American  fleet, 
the  line  was  nearly  a  mile  and  three-quarters  long,  and  at  the  rate  of 
steaming  it  was  perhaps  three-quarters  of  an  hour  from  the  time  the. 
Olympia  came  writhin  range  of  the  shore  batteries  until  the  two  trans- 
ports were  safely  inside  the  harbor. 

The  Olympia,  Baltimore,  Raleigh,  Petrel  and  Concord  passed  in. 
safety  and  the  land  batteries  might  never  have  suspected  the  pres- 
ence of  the  fleet  but  for  a  peculiar  accident  on  the  McCulloch.  The  soot 
in  the  funnel  caught  fire.  Flames  spouted  up  from  it,  and  the  sparks 
fell  all  over  the  deck.  The  batteries  must  have  been  awake  and 
watching.  Five  minutes  later,  or  just  at  11:50,  signals  wrere  seen  on 
the  south  shore,  apparently  on  Limbones  point.  The  flying  sparks 
from  this  boat  made  her  the  only  target  in  the  American  line.  She 
continued  to  steam  ahead,  and  at  12:15,  May  1,  just  as  she  came  be- 
tween the  fort  at  Restingo  and  the  batteries  on  the  island  of  Corregi- 
dor  she  was  fired  upon  by  the  fort  at  the  south. 

The  Boston,  just  ahead,  had  her  guns  manned  and  ready,  and  she 
responded  to  the  shore  fire  with  great  promptness,  sending  an  eight-inch 
shell  toward  the  curl  of  smoke  seen  rising  from  the  battery.  This  was 
the  first  shot  fired  by  the  Americans.  It  was  not  possible  to  judge  of 
its  effect.  There  was  another  flash  on  shore  and  a  shell  went  singing 
past,  only  a  few  yards  ahead  of  her  bow.  If  it  had  struck  fairly  it 
would  have  ripped  up  the  unarmored  cutter.  This  was  the  McCul- 
loch's  only  chance  to  get  into  battle.  She  slowed  down  and  stopped 
and  sent  a  six-pound  shot  at  the  shore  battery  and  followed  imme- 
diately with  another. 

The  Spaniards  answered,  but  this  time  the  shot  went  wild.  The 
McCulloch  then  sent  a  third  shell,  and  almost  immediately  the  Bos- 
ton repeated  with  one  of  her  big  guns.  After  that  the  shore  battery 
ceased,  and  the  last  half  of  the  fleet  steamed  into  the  bay  without 
further  interruption.  At  no  time  did  the  batteries  on  Corregidor  fire. 
All  the  firing  by  the  Spanish  came  from  +he  south  battery,  which  was 
much  nearer.  Five  or  six  shells  were  fired  by  the  Americans,  and  the 
Spanish  shot  three  times,  doing  absolutely  no  damage.  There  were 
conflicting  reports  among  the  naval  officers  as  to  the  firing  at  the  en- 


418          SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

trance  to  the  bay,  but  it  is  certain  that  the  McCulloch  fired  three  shots. 
During  this  firing,  the  chief  engineer  of  the  McCulloch  died  of  nervous 
shock. 

When  Span'sh  Ships  Were  Sighted. 

After  passing  through  the  channel  the  American  line  moved  very 
slowly.  The  men  on  the  McCulloch  were  in  a  fighting  fever  after  the 
brush  at  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  and  were  expecting  every  minute 
to  hear  cannonading  from  the  heavy  ships  ahead.  The  fleet  crept  on 
and  on,  waiting  under  the  cover  of  darkness,  and  not  certain  as  to 
their  location  or  at  all  sure  that  they  would  not  run  into  a  nest  of 
mines  at  any  moment. 

It  was  nearly  1  o'clock  when  they  were  safely  in  the  bay.  Between 
that  hour  and  4 :30  the  fleet,  moving  slowly  in  a  northeasterly  direction, 
headed  for  a  point  perhaps  five  miles  to  the  north  of  Manila.  After 
covering  about  seventeen  miles,  and  with  the  first  light  of  day,  the 
Spanish  ships  were  sighted  off  to  the  east  under  shelter  of  the  strongly 
fortified  naval  station  at  Cavite.  The  batteries  and  the  town  of  Cavite 
are  about  seven  miles  southwest  of  Manila,,  and  are  on  an  arm  of  land 
reaching  northward  to  inclose  a  smaller  harbor,  known  as  Baker  bay. 
From  where  the  fleet  first  stopped,  the  shapes  of  the  larger  Spanish 
cruisers  could  be  made  out  dimly,  and  also  the  irregular  outline  of  the 
shore  batteries  behind.  It  was  evident,  even  to  a  landsman,  that  the 
Spanish  fleet  would  not  fight  unless  our  vessels  made  the  attack,  com- 
ing within  range  of  the  Cavite  batteries. 

The  signaling  from  the  flagship  and  the  hurried  movement  on 
every  deck  showed  that  the  fleet  was  about  to  attack.  In  the  mean- 
time the  McCulloch  received  her  orders.  She  was  to  lie  well  outside, 
that  is,  to  the  west  of  the  fighting  line,  and  protect  the  two  cargo  ships, 
Nanshan  and  Zafiro.  The  position  assigned  to  her  permitted  the  Ameri- 
can fleet  to  carry  on  their  fighting  maneuvers  and  at  the  same  time 
to  keep  between  the  Spanish  fleet  and  the  three  American  ships  which 
were  not  qualified  to  go  into  the  battle. 

Governor-General's  Proclamation. 

Shortly  before  5  o'clock  Sunday  morning  and  when  every  vessel 
in  the  fleet  had  reported  itself  in  readiness  to  move  on  Cavite,  the 
crews  were  drawn  up  and  the  remarkable  proclamation  issued  by  the 


SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS.          419 

governor-general  of  the  Philippine  islands,  on  April  23,  was  read  to 
the  men.  Every  American  sailor  went  into  battle  determined  to  resent 
the  insults  contained  in  the  message,  which  was  as  follows: 

Spaniards!  Hostilities  have  broken  out  between  Spain  and  the  United 
Htates.  The  moment  has  arrived  for  us  to  prove  to  the  world  that  we  possess 
the  spirit  to  conquer  those  who,  pretending  to  be  loyal  friends,  have  taken 
advantage  of  our  misfortune  and  abused  our  hospitalities,  using  means 
which  civilized  nations  count  unworthy  and  disreputable. 

The  North  American  people,  constituted  of  all  the  social  excrescences, 
have  exhausted  our  patience  and  provoked  war  with  their  perfidious 
machinations,  with  their  acts  of  treachery,  with  their  outrages  against  laws 
of  nations  and  international  conventions.  The  struggle  will  be  short  and 
decisive,  the  God  of  victories  will  give  us  one  as  brilliant  and  complete  as 
the  righteousness  and  justice  of  our  cause  demand.  Spain,  which  counts  on 
the  sympathies  of  all  the  nations,  will  emerge  triumphantly  from  the  new 
test,  humiliating  and  blasting  the  'adventurers  from  those  states  that,  with 
out  cohesion  and  without  history,  offer  to  humanity  only  infamous  tradition 
and  the  ungrateful  spectacle  of  chambers  in  which  appear  united  insolence, 
cowardice  and  cynicism.  A  squadron,  manned  by  foreigners  possessing 
neither  instructions  nor  discipline,  is  preparing  to  come  to  this  archipelago 
with  the  ruffianly  intention  of  robbing  us  of  all  that  means  life,  honor  and 
liberty. 

Pretending  to  be  inspired  by  a  courage  of  which  they  are  incapable,  the 
North  American  seamen  undertake  as  an  enterprise  capable  of  realization 
the  substitution  of  protestantism  for  the  Catholic  religion  you  profess,  to 
treat  you  as  tribes  refractory  to  civilization,  to  take  possession  of  your 
riches  as  if  they  were  unacquainted  with  the  rights  of  property,  and  kidnap 
those  persons  whom  they  consider  useful  to  man  their  ships  or  to  be  ex- 
ploited in  agricultural  or  individual  labor.  Vain  design!  Ridiculous  boast- 
ing! Your  indomitable  bravery  will  suffice  to  frustrate  the  attempt  to  carry 
them  into  realization.  You  will  not  allow  the  faith  you  profess  to  be  made 
a  mockery,  impious  hands  to  be  placed  on  the  temple  of  the  true  God,  the 
images  you  adore  to  be  thrown  down  bly  unbelief.  The  aggressors  shall  not 
profane  the  tombs  of  your  fathers.  They  shall  not  gratify  their  lustful  pas- 
sions at  the  cost  of  your  wives'  and  daughters'  honor  or  appropriate  the 
property  that  your  industry  has  accumulated  as  a  provision  for  your  old 
age.  No!  They  shall  not  perpetrate  the  crimes  inspired  by  their  wicked- 
ness and  covetousness,  because  your  valor  and  patriotism  will  suffice  to 
punish  and  abase  the  people  that,  claiming  to  be  civilized  and  cultivated, 
have  exterminated  the  natives  of  North  America  instead  of  bringing  to 
them  the  life  of  civilization  and  progress.  Men  of  the  Philippines,  prepare 
for  the  struggle,  and  united  under  the  glorious  Spanish  flag,  which  is  ever 


420  SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

covered  with  laurels,  let  us  fight  with  the  conviction  that  victory  will  crown 
our  efforts,  and  to  the  calls  of  our  enemies  let  us  oppose  with  the  decision 
of  the  Christian  and  patriotic  cry  of  "Viva  Espana."  Your  governor, 

BASILIO  AUGUSTIN  DIVILIO. 


•4 

Exploding  the  Mines. 

If  the  cry  of  "Kemember  the  Maine"  were  not  enough  to  put  the 
American  sailors  in  a  fighting  mood  as  the  warships  moved  forward 
in  battle  line,  the  memory  of  this  insulting  proclamation  helped  to  put 
them  on  their  mettle. 

The  Olympia  headed  straight  for  the  Spanish  position  a  few  min- 
utes before  5  o'clock.  She  was  moving  at  moderate  speed.  The  other 
vessels  followed  in  the  same  order  which  had  been  observed  in  enter- 
ing the  bay.  The  Spaniards  were  impatient  and  showed  bad  judg- 
ment. At  5:10  o'clock  there  was  a  puff  of  smoke  from  one  of  the  Cavite 
batteries  and  a  shell  dropped  into  the  water  far  inshore  from  the  flag- 
ship. Several  shots  followed,  but  the  range  was  too  long.  While  the 
American  ships  continued  to  crowd  on,  two  uplifts  of  the  water  far  in 
the  wake  of  the  Olympia,  and  off  at  one  side,  were  seen.  Two  mines 
had  been  exploded  from  their  land  connections.  They  did  not  even 
splash  one  of  our  boats,  but  those  who  were  watching  and  following 
behind,  held  their  breath  in  dread,  for  they  did  not  know  at  what 
moment  they  might  see  one  of  the  ships  lifted  into  the  air.  But  there 
were  no  more  mines.  The  Spaniards,  in  exploding  them,  had  bungled, 
as  they  did  afterward  at  every  stage  of  their  desperate  fighting. 

Already  there  was  a  film  of  smoke  over  the  land  batteries  and 
along  the  line  of  Spanish  ships  inshore.  The  roar  of  their  guns  came 
across  the  water.  Our  fleet  paid  no  attention. 

The  Olympia,  in  the  lead,  counted  ten  Spanish  warships,  formed  in 
a  semi-circle  in  front  of  the  rounding  peninsula  of  Cavite,  so  that  they 
were  both  backed  and  flanked  by  the  land  batteries.  The  ten  vessels 
which  made  the  fighting  line  were  the  flagships  Reina  Christina,  the 
Castilla,  the  Antonio  de  Ulloa,  the  Isla  de  Cuba,  the  Isla  de  Luzon,  the 
El  Correo,  the  Marquis  del  Duero,  the  Velasco,  the  Gen.  Lezo  and  the 
Mindanao,  the  latter  being  a  mail  steamer  which  the  Spaniards  had 
hastily  fitted  with  guns.  The  Castilla  wTas  moored  head  and  stern, 
evidently  to  give  the  fleet  a  fixed  spot  from  which  to  maneuver,  but 
the  other  boats  were  under  steam  and  prepared  to  move. 

The  Olympia  opened  fire  for  the  American  fleet  when  two  miles 


SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS.          421 

away  from  the  enemy.  She  began  .blazing  away  with  her  four  eight- 
inch  turret  guns.  The  thunders  of  sound  came  rolling  across  the 
water  and  the  flagships  were  almost  hidden  in  smoke.  Now  our  ships 
circled  to  the  north  and  east  in  the  general  direction  of  the  city  of 
Manila.  That  is,  the  American  fleet  circling  toward  the  northeast 
and  further  in  toward  shore  all  the  time,  turned  and  came  back  in  a 
southwesterly  direction,  passing  in  parade  line  directly  in  front  of  the 
Spanish  fleet  and  batteries,  so  that  the  first  general  broadside  was  from 
the  port  side,  or  the  left  of  the  ships  as  one  stands  on  the  stern 
and  faces  the  bow.  The  McCulloch  had  taken  its  position  so  that  the 
fleet,  in  delivering  this  first  broadside,  passed  between  it  and  the 
enemy.  The  McCulloch  and  the  Nanshan  and  Zafiro  played  in  behind 
the  heavy  line  like  the  backs  of  a  football  team. 

Having  delivered  the  port  broadside,  the  American  fleet  turned, 
heading  toward  the  shore,  and  moved  back  toward  the  northeast,  de- 
livering the  starboard  broadside. 

As  our  ships  passed  to  and  fro,  the  stars  and  stripes  could  be  seen 
whirling  out  from  the  clouds  of  smoke,  and  as  the  line  passed  the  sec- 
ond and  third  times  without  a  sign  of  any  ship  being  injured,  the  sailors 
began  to  feel  that  the  Spaniards  were  not  so  formidable  after  all. 
Their  shots  went  tearing  away  over  our  ships  or  splashed  the  water 
farther  in  shore.  Some  of  the  men  who  fought  at  the  guns  said  that 
after  the  first  general  broadside,  the  sailors  laughed  at  the  wild  shots, 
and  exposed  themselves  recklessly,  feeling  that  they  were  in  no  par- 
ticular danger. 

The  story  of  the  first  general  engagement  is  that  the  Americans 
moved  in  front  of  the  Spanish  line  five  times,  pouring  in  broadsides 
with  all  the  available  guns.  Each  time  the  fleet  drew  nearer  to  shore, 
and  each  time  the  firing  became  more  terribly  effective,  while  the 
Spaniards  failed  to  improve  in  marksmanship.  Our  gunners  fired  first 
the  port  broadsides,  then  the  starboard,  then  the  port  again,  then  the 
starboard  and  then  the  port  guns  for  a  third  time,  and  at  this  last,  or 
fifth,  return  for  an  engagement  along  the  line  they  were  within  1,500 
yards  of  the  Spanish  position.  Our  whole  line  was  choked  with  smoke, 
but  still  unhurt.  The  Spanish  fleet  was  already  wounded  beyond  re- 
covery. 

Duel  of  the  Flagships. 

It  was  during  the  delivery  of  this  last  attack  that  the  Reina  Chris- 
tina made  a  valiant  attack.  Up  to  that,  time  not  a  Spanish  ship  had 


422          SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

left  the  line  of  battle.  As  the  Olympia  approached,  Admiral  Montejo 
gave  orders,  and  the  Reina  Christina  moved  out  from  the  line  to  engage 
the  big  flagship  of  the  American  fleet.  Admiral  Dewey's  boat  wel- 
comed the  battle.  Every  battery  on  the  Olympia  was  turned  on  the 
Reina  Christina.  In  the  face  of  this  awful  fire  she  still  advanced.  The 
American  sailors  had  ridiculed  the  gunnery  of  the  Spaniards,  but  they 
had  to  admire  this  act  of  bravery.  She  came  forward  and  attempted 
to  swing  into  action  against  the  Olympia,  but  was  struck  fore  and  aft 
by  a  perfect  storm  of  projectiles.  With  the  Olympia  still  pounding  at 
her,  she  swung  around  and  started  back  for  the  protection  of  the  navy 
yard.  Just  after  she  had  turned  a  wTell-aimed  shell  from  one  of  the 
Olympia's  eight-inch  guns  struck  her,  fairly  wrecking  the  engine-room 
and  exploding  a  magazine.  She  was  seen  to  be  on  fire,  but  she  pain- 
fully continued  her  way  toward  the  shelter  of  Cavite  and  continued 
firing  until  she  was  a  mass  of  flames.  It  was  during  this  retreat  that 
Captain  Cadarso  was  killed.  The  bridge  was  shot  from  under  Admiral 
Montejo.  The  Spanish  sailors  could  be  seen  swarming  out  of  the  burn- 
ing ship  and  into  the  small  boats.  Admiral  Montejo  escaped  and,  trans- 
ferred his  pennant  to  the  Castilla.  He  had  been  on  the  Castilla  less 
than  five  minutes  when  it  was  set  on  fire  by  an  exploding  shell. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  decisive  engagement,  and  just  after  the 
Reina  Christina  had  been  sent  back,  hammered  to  pieces  and  set  on 
fire,  two  small  torpedo  boats  made  a  daring  attempt  to  slip  up  on  the 
Olympia.  A  pall  of  smoke  was  hanging  over  the  water.  Taking  ad- 
vantage of  this,  they  darted  out  from  the  Spanish  lines  and  headed 
straight  for  the  American  flagship.  They  were  fully  800  yards  in 
advance  of  the  Spanish  line  (or  more  than  half  of  the  way  toward  the 
Olympia)  when  they  were  discovered.  Admiral  Dewey  signaled  his 
men  to  concentrate  all  batteries  on  them.  Every  gun  on  the  port  side 
of  the  Olympia  was  leveled  on  the  two  little  craft  which  came  flying 
across  the  water.  A  fierce  fire  was  opened,  but  they  escaped  the  first 
volley  and  came  on  at  full  speed.  The  flagship  stopped.  A  second 
broadside  was  delivered.  The  torpedo  boats  were  either  injured  or  else 
alarmed,  for  they  turned  hastily  and  started  for  the  shore.  An  eight- 
inch  shell  struck  one.  It  exploded  and  sunk  immediately,  with  all  on 
board.  The  other,  which  had  been  hit,  ran  all  the  way  to  shore  and 
was  beached.  These  were  the  only  two  attempts  the  Spanish  made 
to  offer  offensive  battle. 

It  would  be  diflp,  ^lt  to  describe  in  detail  these  first  two  hours  of 
terrific  fighting.  T^ne  sounds  were  deafening,  and  at  times  the  smoke 


LIEUTENANT  HOBSON  AND  THE   SCENES  OF  HI?       ~ROIC  EXPLOITS 


SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS.          425 

obscured  almost  the  whole  picture  of  battle.  The  American  commander 
himself  could  not  estimate  the  injury  to  the  enemy  until  after  he  had 
withdrawn  from  the  first  general  engagement  and  allowed  the  smoke 
to  clear  away.  Unfortunately,  our  fleet  had  no  supply  of  smokeless 
powder.  All  during  the  fighting  of  Sunday  morning,  Admiral  Dewey 
stood  with  Captain  Lambertson  on  the  forward  bridge  of  the  Olympia. 
He  was  absolutely  exposed  to  the  heaviest  firing,  because  the  Spanish 
fleet  and  the  land  batteries  as  well  continually  made  a  target  of  our 
big  flagship.  Captain  Wildes,  on  the  Boston,  carried  a  fan  as  he  stood 
on  the  bridge,  and  at  one  time  drank  a  cup  of  coffee  while  continuing 
to  give  orders  to  his  gunners. 

It  was  7:45  when  the  American  fleet  withdrew  out  of  range,  not 
because  it  had  suffered  any  reverses,  but  merely  to  ascertain  the  dam- 
ages and  hold  a  consultation. 

Not  until  the  commanders  had  reported  to  Admiral  Dewey  did  he 
learn  of  the  insignificant  loss  which  his  fleet  had  sustained.  Not  one 
man  had  been  killed  and  not  one  vessel  was  so  badly  injured  but  that 
it  was  ready  to  put  to  sea  at  once.  Through  the  glasses  it  could  be 
seen  that  the  Eeina  Christina  and  the  Castilla  were  burning.  The 
smaller  vessels  had  taken  refuge  behind  the  arsenal  at  Cavite.  The 
Mindanao  had  been  driven  ashore.  Already  the  victory  was  almost 
complete.  The  American  sailors  were  wild  with  enthusiasm.  Although 
hardly  one  of  them  had  slept  the  night  before,  and  they  had  been  fight- 
ing in  a  burning  temperature,  they  were  more  than  anxious  to  return 
to  the  engagement  and  finish  the  good  work.  It  was  thought  best, 
however,  to  take  a  rest  for  at  least  three  hours.  The  decks  were 
cleaned  and  the  guns  readjusted,  and  after  food  had  been  served  to  the 
men,  the  fleet  formed  and  headed  straight  for  Cavite  again.  The  rem- 
nant of  the  Spanish  squadron  offered  very  little  resistance,  but  the 
forts  at  Cavite  continued  their  wild  efforts  to  strike  an  American 
warship. 

Making  the  Second  Attack. 

This  time  the  Baltimore  was  sent  in  advance.  She  headed  boldly 
to  within  range  of  the  Cavite  batteries.  By  this  time  the  Americans 
had  a  contempt  for  Spanish  marksmanship.  The  Baltimore  opened 
fire  and  pounded  away  for  thirty  minutes.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
every  gun  of  the  batteries  had  been  silenced.  Of  the  Spanish  war- 
ships the  Antonio  de  Ulloa  was  the  only  one  which  came  out  of  refuge 
to  offer  battle  with  the  Baltimore  and  she  met  with  horrible  punish- 


426          SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

ment.  Her  decks  were  literally  swept  with  shell,  but  even  after  she 
was  apparently  wrecked  her  lower  guns  were  used  with  wonderful 
persistence. 

The  Baltimore,  having  silenced  the  forts,  turned  all  her  guns  on  the 
Spanish  cruiser  and  actually  riddled  her.  She  sank  and  all  her  crew 
went  down  with  her.  That  was  the  end  of  Spanish  resistance.  Ad- 
miral Dewey  ordered  his  light-draught  vessels  to  enter  the  navy  yard 
and  destroy  everything  that  might  give  future  trouble.  The  Boston, 
the  Concord  and  the  Petrel  were  detailed  for  this  duty,  but  the  Boston, 
drawing  twenty  feet,  ran  aground  twice,  not  knowing  the  shoals,  and 
had  to  leave  the  work  to  the  Petrel  and  Concord.  By  the  time  these 
two  vessels  reached  the  navy  yard  they  found  the  vessels  there  aban- 
doned and  most  of  them  on  fire.  They  destroyed  the  fag  end  of  the 
Spanish  fleet,  and  when  Sunday  afternoon  came  there  was  nothing 
left  above  water  to  represent  the  Spanish  naval  force  in  Asiatic  waters 
except  the  transport  Manila.  The  arsenal  had  been  shelled  to  pieces. 

At  12:45  o'clock  the  signal  was  given  that  the  Spanish  had  sur- 
rendered. The  word  was  passed  rapidly  from  ship  to  ship.  The  Ameri- 
can sailors  were  crazy  with  delight.  There  was  tremendous  cheering 
on  every  ship.  The  enthusiasm  became  even  greater  when  the  word 
was  passed  that  not  one  of  our  men  had  been  killed  and  not  one 
American  vessel  had  been  injured.  The  eight  men  who  were  hurt  by 
the  explosion  on  the  Baltimore  continued  to  fight  until  the  end  of  the 
battle.  The  Boston  was  struck  once  and  the  officers'  quarters  set 
on  fire. 

For  some  reason  the  Spanish  gunners  seemed  to  think  that  the 
Baltimore  was  especially  dangerous,  having  the  general  build  of  a 
battleship,  and,  next  to  the  flagship,  she  had  to  withstand  the  greatest 
amount  of  firing,  and  was  struck  several  times,  with  no  great  damage. 
Except  for  the  torn  rigging  and  a  few  dents  here  and  there  few  signs 
could  be  discovered  that  the  vessels  had  engaged  in  one  of  the  most 
decisive  naval  battles  of  modern  times. 

The  Concord  and  the  Petrel  were  not  hit  at  all,  although  the  latter 
went  deeper  into  the  enemy's  position  than  any  other  vessel  in  our 
fleet.  The  Olympia  made  a  glorious  record.  She  was  struck  thirteen 
times,  counting  the  shells  which  tore  through  her  rigging,  but  she  came 
put  as  good  as  she  went  in. 


SEA  F1GIIT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS.          427 


Loss  of  the  Spanish. 

Compared  with  these  trivial  losses  the  damage  done  to  the  Spanish 
was  fearful.  Five  hundred  and  fifty  of  them  were  killed  and  625 
wounded.  Eleven  of  their  ships  were  totally  demolished,  and  the 
Americans  captured  one  transport  and  several  smaller  vessels.  Their 
money  loss  by  reason  of  the  battle  was  not  less  than  $5,000,000. 

During  the  naval  action  a  battery  of  10-inch  guns  at  Manila  opened 
an  ineffectual  fire  on  our  fleet  as  it  was  moving  into  action  north  of 
Cavite.  The  admiral  did  not  return-  the  fire  out  of  mercy  for  the  people 
of  Manila,  as  any  shots  passing  over  the  shore  batteries  would  have 
landed  in  a  populous  portion  of  the  city. 

On  Monday,  May  2,  the  Kaleigh  and  Baltimore  were  sent  to  demand 
the  surrender  of  the  forts  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay.  These  forts  were 
taken  without  resistance.  The  troops  had  fled  and  only  the  com- 
mandant remained  to  surrender  himself. 

In  regard  to  the  cutting  of  the  cable,  Admiral  Dewey  regarded  the 
action  as  necessary.  He  sent  word  to  the  governor  by  the  British 
consul  that  if  he  was  permitted  to  send  his  dispatches  to  the  United 
States  government  the  cable  would  not  be  cut.  The  governor  refused 
to  promise  and  Admiral  Dewey  decided  to  stop  all  communication  be- 
tween Manila  and  Madrid. 

On  Monday,  when  the  cable  was  cut,  the  commander  established  a 
marine  guard  at  Cavite  to  protect  the  hospitals  and  the  Spanish 
wounded.  Surgeons  and  the  hospital  corps  of  the  American  fleet  were 
detailed  to  care  for  the  wounded  Spaniards,  and  they  cared  for  them 
as  tenderly  as  if  they  were  brothers  in  arms  instead  of  enemies. 

On  Wednesday,  May  4,  several  hundred  of  the  wounded  Spaniards 
were  conveyed  under  the  Eed  Cross  flag  to  Manila  and  were  cared  for 
in  the  hospitals  there. 

The  Spaniards  in  Manila  no  longer  .feared  the  Americans,  but  they 
were  in  dread  of  capture  by  the  insurgents.  The  rebels  were  over- 
running Cavite  and  pillaging  houses.  The  country  back  of  Manila 
was  full  of  burning  buildings  and  wrecked  plantations.  The  reckless 
insurgents  were  applying  the  torch  right  and  left. 

Admiral  Montejo's  Private  Papers. 

The  most  interesting  capture  made  by  the  Americans  was  a  bundle 
of  private  papers  belonging  to  Admiral  Montejof  One  of  these  com- 


428          SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

munications,  bearing  his  signature,  showed  that  it  was  his  intention 
to  have  a  general  review  and  inspection  of  the  fleet  at  7  o'clock  on 
Sunday  morning.  This  proves  that  he  was  not  expecting  the  American 
fleet  so  soon. 

Other  papers  showed  that  it  had  been  his  intention  at  one  time  to 
intrust  the  defense  of  Manila  to  the  land  batteries  and  take  the  fleet 
to  Subig  bay,  north  of  Manila,  believing  that  he  could  there  take  up 
a  strong  position  and  have  an  advantage  over  an  attacking  fleet. 

According  to  the  reports  from  Manila  the  admiral  first  went  ashore 
at  Cavite  and  had  his  wounds  dressed.  He  succeeded  in  evading  the 
insurgents,  who  wished  to  capture  him,  and  arrived  in  Manila  twelve 
hours  after  the  fight. 

There  are  some  very  interesting  figures  as  to  the  amount  of  firing 
done  by  our  ships  during  the  battle.  The  Olyuipia  fired  1,764  shells, 
aggregating  twenty-five  tons  in  weight.  The  Baltimore  did  even 
heavier  firing,  being  called  upon  to  reduce  the  forts  after  the  first  en- 
gagement, and  sent  no  less  than  thirty-five  tons  of  metal  into  the 
Spanish  ships  and  the  land  batteries.  The  remainder  of  the  fleet  shot 
a  total  of  eighty  tons  of  metal,  making  a  grand  total  of  140  tons. 

The  Spanish  officers  attributed  the  American  victory  to  the  rapidity 
and  the  accuracy  of  our  fire  rather  than  to  the  weight  of  projectiles 
used.  Also,  the  fact  that  the  American  ships  were  painted  a  lead  color 
and  did  not  stand  out  boldly  against  the  water  made  them  very  un- 
satisfactory targets  and  kept  the  Spanish  gunners-  guessing  as  to  the 
correct  range. 

In  spite  of  his  overwhelming  defeat  Admiral  Montejo  did  not  for- 
get the  courtesies  of  the  occasion.  On  Monday  he  sent  word  by  the 
British  consul  to  Admiral  Dewey  that  he  wished  to  compliment  the 
Americans  on  their  marksmanship.  He  said  that  never  before  had 
he  witnessed  such  rapid  and  accurate  firing.  Admiral  Dewey,  not  to 
be  outdone  in  the  amenities  of  war,  sent  his  compliments  to  the  Span- 
ish admiral  and  praised  the  Spaniards  very  highly  for  their  courage 
and  resistance.  He  said  that  the  Spanish  force  was  stronger  than  he 
had  believed  it  would  be  before  his  arrival  at  the  harbor,  and  he  had 
really  expected  a  shorter  and  less  stubborn  battle.  It  is  said  that 
this  message,  although  complimentary  to  the  Spanish,  did  not  give 
Admiral  Montejo  any  real  comfort. 

The  Spanish  ships  destroyed  were:  The  Reina  Christina,  flagship 
of  Admiral  Montejo;  Cruiser  Castilla  (wooden);  Cruiser  Don  Antonio 
de  Ulloa-  Protected  Cruiser  Isla  de  Luzon  •  Protected  Cruiser  Isla  de 


SEA  FIGHT  OFF  MANILA,  AMERICANS  VICTORIOUS. 

Cuba;  Gunboat  General  Lezo;  Gunboat  Marquis  del  Duero;  Gunboat 
El  Cano;  Gunboat  El  Velasco;  the  Steamer  Mindanao,  with  supplies, 
burned. 

These  were  captured:  Transport  Manila,  with  supplies;  Gunboat 
Isabella  I;  Cruiser  Don  Juan  de  Austria;  Gunboat  Eapido;  Gunboat 
Hercules;  two  whaleboats;  three  steam  launches. 

Secretary  Long  sent  this  dispatch  immediately  to  Acting  Admira* 
Dewey: 

The  President,  in  the  name  of  the  American  people,  thanks  you  and  your 
officers  and  men  for  your  splendid  achievement  and  overwhelming  victory. 
In  recognition  he  has  appointed  you  Acting  Admiral,  and  will  recommend  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  you  by  Congress  as  a  foundation  for  further  promotion. 

Dewey's  New  Rank. 

The  Senate  unanimously  confirmed  the  President's  nominatior 
making  George  Dewey  a  rear  admiral  in  the  United  States  navy.  Con- 
gress made  the  place  for  him,  and  the  President  promoted  him. 

He  bears  on  his  shoulders  two  stars  and  an  anchor  instead  of  two 
anchors  and  a  star.  His  pay  has  been  increased  from  f 5,000  a  year  to 
$6,000  a  year,  while  at  sea  and  until  he  retires.  He  was  presented 
with  ,a  sword,  and  medals  were  struck  for  his  men.  His  elevation  in 
rank,  his  increase  in  pay,  are  gratifying  tributes  to  his  greatness.  But 
there  is  a  rank  to  which  the  President  could  not  elevate  him,  a  position 
that  Congress  could  not  create,  for  he  created  it  himself.  In  the  hearts 
of  the  people  Admiral  Dewey  is  the  Hero  of  Manila,  holding  a  place 
prouder  than  a  king's,  a  place  in  the  love  and  admiration  and  grati- 
tude of  a  great  nation. 

Greater  than  Farragut,  greater  than  Hull,  greater  than  Hawke  or 
Blake  or  Nelson,  Dewey  is  the  greatest  of  fleet  commanders,  the 
grandest  of  the  heroes  of  the  sea.  It  will  be  recorded  of  him  that  he 
was  faithful  to  duty,  true  to  his  flag,  magnanimous  to  his  enemies  and 
modest  in  the  hour  of  triumph. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 
HAWAII,    AND    OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY. 

Location  of  the  Islands — Their  Population — Honolulu,  the  Capital  and  the 
Metropolis — Political  History — The  Traditional  Policy  of  the  United 
States — Former  Propositions  for  Annexation — Congressional  Discus- 
sion— The  Vote  in  the  House  of  Representatives — The  Hawaiian  Com- 
mission. 

A  work  of  this  character  would  be  incomplete  without  mention  of 
the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  their  intimate  political  and  commercial  con- 
nection with  our  own  country.  For  many  years  prior  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war  with  Spain  there  had  been  a  growing  sentiment  in 
favor  of  their  annexation  to  the  United  States,  and  events  in  Wash- 
ington during  the  first  month  of  that  conflict  showed  conclusively  that 
a  large  majority  of  the  members  of  both  houses  of  Congress  were 
strongly  in  favor  of  the  measure. 

The  Hawaiians  are  a  group  of  eight  inhabited  and  four  uninhabited 
islands  lying  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean,  distant  from  San  Francisco 
about  2,100  miles,  from  Sidney  4,500  miles,  and  from  Hongkong  4,800 
miles.  They  are  the  most  important  in  the  Polynesian  group,  and  were 
discovered  by  Captain  Cook  in  1788.  Their  combined  area  is  6,640 
square  miles,  and  their  population  is  about  85,000.  The  islands  are  to 
a  great  extent  mountainous  and  volcanic,  but  the  soil  is  highly  pro- 
ductive. Sugar,  rice,  and  tropical  fruits  grow  in  abundance,  and  over 
ninety  per  cent  of  the  trade  is  with  the  United  States. 

Fortunes  Easily  Made. 

The  world  knows  comparatively  nothing  about  the  great  fortunes 
that  have  been  amassed  in  Hawaii  in  the  last  thirty  years.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  Yankee  missionaries  who  sailed  from  Boston  and  Gloucester 
around  the  Horn  to  carry  the  gospel  to  the  Sandwich  islands  in  the  '30s 
and  '40s  are  the  richest  and  most  aristocratic  people  in  Honolulu.  For 
mer?  songs  the  sons  of  missionaries  obtained  great  tracts  of  marvel- 
ously  fertile  soil  for  sugar  planting  in  the  valleys  of  the  island,  and 
with  their  natural  enterprise  and  inventive  spirit  they  developed  the 
greatest  sugar  cane  plantations  in  the  world. 

430 


HAWAII,  AND  OUE  ANNEXATION  POLICY.  431 

When  the  United  States  gave  a  treaty  to  the  Hawaiian  kingdom 
putting  Hawaiian  raw  sugar  on  the  free  tariff  list,  the  profits  of  the 
sugar  planters  went  up  with  a  bound.  For  twenty-five  years  the  divi- 
dends of  several  of  the  Yankee  companies  operating  sugar  plantations 
and  mills  on  the  islands  ranged  from  18  to  30  per  cent  a  year.  The 
Hawaiian  Commercial  Sugar  Company  paid  25  per  cent  dividends  an- 
nually from  1870  to  1882.  The  world  has  never  known  productiveness 
so  rich  as  that  of  the  valleys  of  Maui  and  Hawaii  for  sugar  cane.  The 
seed  had  only  to  be  planted  and  the  rains  fell  and  nature  did  the  rest. 
One  tract  of  12,000  acres  of  land  on  Maui  was  given  to  a  young  Amer- 
ican, who  married  a  bewitching  Kanaka  girl,  by  her  father,  who  was 
delighted  to  have  a  pale-faced  son-in-law.  It  was  worth  about  |200 
at  the  time.  The  tract  subsequently  became  a  part  of  a  great  sugar 
plantation.  It  was  bought  by  Claus  Spreckels  for  $175,000  and  is  worth 
much  more  than  that  now.  The  Spreckles,  Alexander,  Bishop,  Smith 
and  Akers  accumulated  millions  in  one  generation  of  sugar  cultivation 
in  the  Hawaiian  islands. 

Hundreds  of  Volcanoes. 

The  volcanoes  of  Hawaii  are  a  class  by  themselves.  They  are  not 
only  the  tallest,  but  the  biggest  and  strangest  in  the  whole  world. 
Considering  that  they  reach  from  the  bottom  of  the  Pacific  ocean  (18,000 
feet  deep  here)  to  over  15,000  feet  above  sea  level,  they  really  stand 
33,000  feet  high  from  their  suboceanic  base  to  their  peaks.  The  active 
craters  on  the  islands  number  300,  but  the  dead  craters,  the  ancient 
chimneys  of  subterranean  lava  beds,  are  numbered  by  the  thousands. 
The  islands  are  of  lavic  formation.  Evidences  of  extinct  volcanoes  are 
so  common  that  one  seldom  notices  them  after  a  few  weeks  on  the 
islands.  Ancient  lava  is  present  everywhere.  The  natives  know  all 
its  virtues,  and,  while  some  ancient  deposits  of  lava  are  used  as  a 
fertilizer  for  soils,  other  lava  beds  are  blasted  for  building  material 
and  for  macadamizing  roads.  Titanic  volcanic  action  is  apparent  on 
every  side.  Every  headland  is  an  extinct  volcano.  Every  island  has 
its  special  eruption,  which,  beginning  at  the  unfathomable  bottom  of 
the  sea,  has  slowly  built  up  a  foundation  and  then  a  superstructure  of 
lava.  On  the  island  of  Hawaii  and  on  Molokai  are  huge  cracks  several 
'  thousands  of  feet  deep  and  many  yards  wide  which  were  formed  by  the 
bursting  upward  of  lava  beds  ages  and  ages  ago.  The  marks  of  the 
tiijinic  force  are  plainly  visible. 


432  HAWAII,    AND    OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY. 

Mark  Twain  is  authorit}7  for  saying  that  the  two  great  active  vol- 
canoes, Mauna  Loa  and  Kilauea,  on  the  island  of  Hawaii,  are  the  most 
interesting  in  the  world.  Certainly  they  are  the  most  unique.  Mauna 
Loa  is  14,000  feet  above  sea  level.  Every  six  or  seven  years  there  is  an 
eruption  from  its  sides  and  several  times  the  flow  of  lava  has  threatened 
the  ruin  of  the  town  of  Hilo,  thirty  miles  away.  The  crater  on  Mauna 
Loa  is  three  miles  in  diameter  and  600  feet  deep.  Over  the  crater  hangs 
an  illuminated  vapor  which  may  be  seen  at  night  over  200  miles  distant. 
When  Mauna  Loa  is  in  violent  eruption  a  fountain  of  molten  lava 
spouts  every  minute  over  250  feet  in  the  air,  bursting  into  10,000 
brilliantly  colored  balls,  like  a  monstrous  Eoman  candle  pyrotechnic. 

Then  there  is  Kilauea — a  shorter  and  flatter  volcanic  mountain 
sixteen  miles  distant.  It  has  the  greatest  crater  known — one  nine  miles 
across  and  from  300  to  800  feet  deep.  And  such  a  crater!  In  it  is  a 
literal  lake  of  molten  lava  all  the  time.  At  times  the  lava  is  over 
100  feet  deep  and  at  other  times  it  is  200  feet,  according  to  the  pressure 
on  it  deep  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  Signs  of  volcanic  activity  are 
present  all  the  time  throughout  the  depth  of  the  molten  mass  in  the 
form  of  steam,  cracks,  jets  of  sulphurous  smoke  and  blowing  cones. 
The  crater  itself  is  constantly  rent  and  shaken  by  earthquakes.  Nearly 
all  tourists  go  to  see  the  marvelous  eruptions  on  Mauna  Loa  and  Kil- 
auea. Hotels  have  been  built  on  the  mountain  sides  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  sightseers,  and  there  are  plenty  of  guides  about  the  craters. 

Oahu  has  many  places  of  interest  outside  of  Honolulu.  One  may 
visit  the  sugar  plantations,  rice  farms,  and  may  go  to  Pearl  harbor  or 
the  PunchbowTl.  The  latter  is  an  extinct  volcano  rising  a  few  hundred 
feet  above  the  town.  Another  resort  is  the  Pali,  the  highest  point  in 
the  pass  through  the  range  of  mountains  that  divides  Oahu.  It  is 
the  fashion,  and  a  very  good  fashion  it  is,  to  see  the  Pali  and 
praise  its  charms.  It  is  the  Yosemite  of  Hawaii.  The  view  from  this 
height  sweeps  the  whole  island  from  north  to  south.  In  the  direction- 
of  the  capital  the  land  slopes  to  a  level  two  miles  from. the  sea  and 
then  spreads  flatly  to  the  shore.  The  hillsides  are  not,  as  a  rule,  in  a 
state  of  cultivation,  although  the  soil  is  fertile.  The  land  is  now  cum- 
bered with  wild  guava,  which  bears  fruit  as  big  as  the  lemon,  and  with 
the  lantana,  the  seeds  of  which  are  scattered  broadcast  by  an  imported 
bird  called  the  minah.  On  the  lower  ground  small  farmers,  mostly 
orientals,  make  their  homes,  and  there  are  several  cane  plantations. 

Honolulu,  the  capital  and  chief  city,  has  a  population  of  about 
25,000,  and  presents  more  of  the  appearance  of  a  civilized  place  than 


HAWAII,    AND   OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY.  433 

any  other  town  in  Polynesia.  Although  consisting  largely  of  one-story 
wooden  houses,  mingled  with  grass  huts  half  smothered  by  foliage,  its 
streets  are  laid  out  in  the  American  style,  and  are  straight,  neat  and 
tidy.  Water-works  supply  the  town  from  a  neighboring  valley,  and 
electric  lights,  telephones,  street  car  lines,  and  other  modern  improve- 
ments are  not  lacking. 

The  arrangement  of  the  streets  in  Honolulu  reminds  many  Ameri- 
cans of  those  in  Boston  or  the  older  part  of  New  York.  All  the  streets 
are  narrow,  but  well  kept,  and,  with  a  few  exceptions,  they  meander 
here  arid  there  at  will.  A  dozen  thoroughfares  are  crescent  shaped 
and  twist  and  turn  when  one  least  expects.  All  the  streets  are  smooth 
and  hard  under  a  dressing  of  thousands  of  wagon  loads  of  shells  and 
lava  pounded  down  and  crushed  by  an  immense  steam  roller  brought 
from  San  Francisco. 

The  Independence  of  the  Islands  Declared. 

In  1843  the  independence  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands  was  formally 
guaranteed  by  the  English  and  French  governments,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  they  were  under  a  constitutional  monarchy.  On  the  death  of 
King  Kalakaua  in  1891,  his  sister,  the  Princess  Liliuokalani,  succeeded 
to  the  throne,  and  soon  proved  herself  to  be  an  erratic  and  self-willed 
ruler.  She  remained  constantly  at  variance  with  her  legislature  and 
advisers,  ancl  in  January,  1893,  attempted  to  promulgate  a  new  consti- 
tution, depriving  foreigners  of  the  right  of  franchise,  and  abrogating 
the  existing  House  of  Nobles,  at  the  same  time  giving  herself  power  of 
appointing  a  new  House.  This  wras  resisted  by  the  foreign  element  of 
the  community,  who  at  once  appointed  a  committee  of  safety,  consisting 
of  thirteen  members,  who  called  a  mass  meeting  of  their  class,  at  which 
about  1,500  persons  were  present.  The  meeting  unanimously  adopted 
resolutions  condemning  the  action  of  the  Queen,  and  authorizing  a  com- 
mittee to  take  into  further  consideration  whatever  was  necessary  to  pro- 
tect the  public  safety. 

The  committee  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  Hawaiian  people, 
formed  itself  into  a  provisional  government,  took  possession  of  the 
national  property,  and  sent  commissioners  to  the  United  States  inviting 
this  republic  to  annex  the  islands.  The  United  States  did  not  respond, 
but  continued  the  old  relation  of  friendly  guarantor. 

A  constitutional  convention  held  session  from  May  20  to  July  3, 1894, 
and  on  July  4  the  constitution  was  proclaimed,  the  new  government 
calling  itself  the  "Republic  of  Hawaii." 


434  flAWAil,   AND    OU&    ANNEXATION    POLICY. 

In  refusing  to  grant  this  appeal  for  annexation,  the  officials  at  the 
head  of  the  United  States  government  at  that  time  were  of  the  opinion 
that  such  action  would  be  in  direct  opposition  to  our  traditional  policy, 
and  the  same  argument  has  since  been  advanced  by  the  opponents  of 
the  plan. 

We  were  thus  brought  face  to  face  with  the  question,  "What  is 
American  policy?"  Many  statesmen  of  recent  years  have  declared  that 
our  great  growth  and  increasing  importance  among  nations  imposed 
obligations  which  should  force  us  to  take  greater  part  in  the  affairs  of" 
the  world.  Following  the  lead  of  European  statecraft,  they  also  as- 
serted that  we  should  adopt  this  policy  to  encourage  and  protect  our 
expanding  commercial  interests.  Not  only  were  we  facing  problems 
the  war  directly  presented,  but  other  nations  seemed  to  think  that  we 
were  about  to  cast  aside  the  advice  of  Washington  concerning  entan- 
gling alliances,  and  establish  the  relation  of  an  ally  with  Great  Britain. 

Edward  Everett  foresaw  the  extension  of  the  republican  idea,  and 
declared  that  "in  the  discharge  of  the  duty  devolved  upon  us  by  Provi- 
dence, we  have  to  carry  the  republican  independence,  which  our  fathers 
achieved,  with  all  the  organized  institutions  of  an  enlightened  com- 
munity— institutions  of  religion,  law,  education,  charity,  art  and  all 
the  thousand  graces  of  the  highest  culture — beyond  the  Missouri,  be- 
yond the  Sierra  Nevada;  perhaps  in  time  around  the  circuit  of  the 
Antilles,  perhaps  to  the  archipelagoes  of  the  central  Pacific." 

The  treaty  of  1783  with  Great  Britain  defined  the  western  boundary 
of  the  United  States  as  the  Mississippi  river,  down  to  the  Florida  line 
on  the  31st  parallel  of  north  latitude.  The  original  colonies  comprised 
less  than  half  of  this  area,  the  rest  being  organized  several  years  later 
as  the  Northwest  Territory.  In  1803  the  United  States  purchased  from 
Napoleon  for  $15,000,000  the  province  of  Louisiana,  over  1,000,000 
square  miles  in  area,  including  Louisiana,  Missouri,  Arkansas,  the  In- 
dian Territory,  most  of  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  the  two 
Dakotas,  Montana,  Colorado,  Idaho,  Oregon,  Washington  and  most  of 
Wyoming.  With  this  cession  came  absolute  ownership  and  control  of 
the  Mississippi. 

By  the  treaty  of  February  12,  1819,  with  Spain,  Florida  was  next 
acquired,  and  Spain  abandoned  all  claims  upon  the  territory  between 
the  Rocky  mountains  and  the  Pacific,  embraced  in  the  Louisiana  pur- 
chase. Texas  was  annexed  in  1845.  Under  the  treaty  of  Guadaloupe 
Hidalgo,  in  1848,  which  ended  the  Mexican  war,  California,  Nevada, 
parts  of  Colorado  and  Wyoming,  Utah,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  became 


HAWAII,   AND   Otiit   ANNEXATION   POLICY.  435 

a  part  of  the  United  States.  The  Gadsden  purchase  of  1853  acquired 
the  portion  of  this  territory  south  of  the  Gila  river.  Fourteen  years 
later  the  territory  of  Alaska  was  purchased  from  Russia, 

Territorial  acquisition  has  been  the  policy  of  successive  periods  of 
American  politics.  Hitherto  annexation  has  been  confined  to  con- 
tiguous territory,  except  in  the  case  of  Alaska,  separated  only  by 
narrow  stretches  of  sea  and  land.  But  in  the  case  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands  an  entirely  different  problem  confronted  us. 

Hawaiian  Annexation  in  History. 

The  question  of  annexation  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands  has  been  before 
the  American  people  in  some  form  for  nearly  fifty  years.  In  1851  a 
deed  of  provisional  cession  of  the  islands  to  the  United  States  was 
executed  by  King  Kamehameha  III.,  and  delivered  to  the  United  States 
Minister  at  Honolulu — the  act  being  subsequently  ratified  by  joint 
resolution  of  the  two  Houses  of  the  Hawaiian  Legislature.  In  1854  a 
formal  treaty  of  annexation  was  negotiated  between  King  Kamehameha 
and  the  Hon.  David  L.  Gregg,  in  the  capacity  of  commissioner,  and 
acting  under  special  instructions  of  Secretary  Marcy,  then  Secretary 
of  State  under  President  Pierce.  The  King  died,  however,  before  the 
engrossed  copy  of  the  treaty  had  been  signed,  which  prevented  the  com- 
pletion of  the  act.  But  for  this  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
annexation  would  have  been  an  accomplished  fact  at  that  time,  as  the 
administration  of  President  Pierce  was  thoroughly  committed  to  it. 
The  policy  then  distinctly  enunciated  was  not  to  have  the  islands  come 
in  as  a  State  but  as  a  Territory. 

President  Grant  was  a  zealous  advocate  of  annexation,  and  in  1874 
a  reciprocity  treaty  with  the  islands  was  entered  into  by  Secretary  Fish, 
under  which  the  Hawaiian  government  bound  itself  not  to  "lease  or 
otherwise  dispose  of  or  create  any  lien  upon  any  port,  harbor,  or  other 
territory  ...  or  grant  any  special  privilege  or  right  of  use  therein 
to  any  other  government,"  nor  enter  into  any  reciprocity  treaty  with 
any  other  government.  Thirteen  years  later  (1887),  under  the  admin- 
istration of  President  Cleveland,  there  was  a  renewal  of  this  treaty, 
to  which  was  added  a  clause  giving  to  the  United  States  authority  for 
the  exclusive  use  of  Pearl  River  (or  harbor)  as  a  coaling  and  repair 
station  for  its  vessels,  with  permission  to  improve  the  same.  Article 
IV  of  this  treaty  bound  the  respective  governments  to  admit  certain 
specified  articles  free  of  duty  and  contained  the  following  provision: 


436  HAW  An,   AND   OTJR   ANNEXATION   POLICY. 

"It  is  agreed,  on  the  part  of  his  Hawaiian  Majesty,  that  so  long  as 
this  treaty  shall  remain,  in  force  he  will  not  lease  or  otherwise  dispose 
of  or  create  any  lien  upon  any  port,  harbor,  or  other  territory  in  his 
dominions,  or  grant  any  special  privilege  or  rights  of  use  therein,  to  any 
other  power,  state,  or  government,  nor  make  any  treaty  by  which  any 
other  nation  shall  obtain  the  same  privileges,  relative  to  the  admission 
of  any  articles  free  of  duty,  hereby  secured  to  the  United  States." 

This  treaty  was  to  remain  in  force  seven  years  (until  1894),  but,  after 
that  date,  was  declared  to  be  terminable  by  either  party  after  twelve 
months'  notice  to  that  effect. 

There  have  been  two  treaties  relating  to  annexation  before  Congress 
within  the  last  five  years,  the  first  negotiated  by  Secretary  of  State  John 
W.  Foster  during  the  administration  of  President  Harrison  in  1893,  the 
other  by  Secretary  Sherman  under  the  McKinley  administration  on  the 
16th  day  of  June,  1897.  The  first  was  withdrawn  by  President  Cleve- 
land after  his  accession  to  the  Presidency.  Both  were  ratified  by  the 
Hawaiian  Legislature  in  accordance  writh  a  provision  of  the  constitution 
of  the  republic,  and  that  body,  by  unanimous  vote  of  both  Houses,  on 
May  27,  1896,  declared: 

"That  the  Legislature  of  the  republic  of  Hawaii  continues  to  be,  as 
heretofore,  firmly  and  steadfastly  in  favor  of  the  annexation  of  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  to  the  United  States  of  America,  and  in  advocating 
such  policy  it  feels  assured  that  it  is  expressing  not  only  its  own  senti- 
ments but  those  of  the  voters  of  this  republic." 

The  necessity  for  a  closer  relation  of  the  two  republics  than  that  pro- 
vided for  by  a  commercial  treaty,  terminable  at  the  pleasure  of  either, 
has  been  recognized  by  nearly  every  President  and  Secretary  of  State 
from  John  Tyler  down  to  President  McKinley,  by  none  more  strongly 
than  by  Daniel  Webster  in  1851  and  by  Secretary  Marcy  in  1854,  while 
like  views  have  been  favored  by  Secretaries  Seward,  Fish,  Bayard, 
Foster,  and  Sherman  since. 

The  strategic  value  of  the  islands  in  case  of  war  and  their  com- 
mercial value  at  all  times  are  so  bound  up  together  that  it  is  impossible 
to  separate  them.  The  former  has  been  testified  to  by  such  eminent 
military  and  naval  authorities  as  General  J.  M.  Schofield  and  General 
Alexander  of  the  United  States  army  and  Captain  A.  T.  Mahan,  Admiral 
Belknap,  Admiral  Dupont,  and  George  W.  Mellville,  Engineer  in  Chief 
of  the  United  States  navy,  and  many  others.  Their  commercial  value 
is  demonstrated  by  the  fact  that  their  trade  with  the  United  States  for 
the  fiscal  year,  ending  June,  1897  (amounting  to  $18,385,000),  exceeded 


HAWAII,    AND   OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY.  437 

that  with  either  of  the  following  States  and  confederations:  Argen- 
tina, Central  America,  Spain,  Switzerland,  Venezuela,  Russia,  or  Den- 
mark; was  more  than  twice  that  with  Colombia  or  Sweden  and  Norway; 
nearly  three  times  that  with  Chile;  four  times  that  with  Uruguay; 
nearly  four  times  that  with  Portugal;  nearly  seven  times  that  with 
Turkey;  ten  times  greater  than  that  with  Peru,  and  greater  than  that 
of  Greece,  Peru,  Turkey,  Portugal,  and  Sweden  and  Norway  combined. 

Vote  for  Annexation. 

By  a  vote  of  209  to  91  the  House  of  Representatives  on  the  afternoon 
of  June  15  adopted  the  Newlands  resolutions,  providing  for  the  annex- 
ation of  Hawaii.  The  debate,  which  was  continued  without  interrup- 
tion for  three  days,  was  one  of  the  most  notable  of  Congress,  the  pro- 
posed annexation  being  considered  of  great  commercial  and  strategic 
importance  by  its  advocates,  and  being  looked  upon  by  its  opponents 
as  involving  a  radical  departure  from  the  long-established  policy  of  the 
country  and  likely  to  be  followed  by  the  inauguration  of  a  pronounced 
policy  of  colonization,  the  abandonment  of  the  Monroe  doctrine  and 
participation  in  international  wrangles.  More  than  half  a  hundred 
members  participated  in  the  debate. 

Notable  speeches  were  made  by  Messrs.  Berry,  Smith  and  Hepburn 
for,  and  by  Messrs.  Johnson  and  Williams  against  the  pending  measure. 
Few  members  were  upon  the  floor  until  late  in  the  afternoon  and  the 
galleries  had  few  occupants.  As  the  hour  of  voting  drew  near,  how- 
ever, members  began  taking  their  places  and  there  were  few  more  than 
a  score  of  absentees  when  the  first  roll  call  was  taken.  The  announce- 
ment of  the  vote  upon  the  passage  of  the  resolutions  was  cheered  upon 
the  floor  and  applauded  generally  by  the  spectators. 

The  resolutions  adopted  in  a  preamble  relate  the  offer  of  the 
Hawaiian  republic  to  cede  all  of  its  sovereignty  and  absolute  title  to 
the  government  and  crown  lands,  and  then  by  resolution  accept  the 
cession  and  declare  the  islands  annexed.  The  resolutions  provide  for 
a  commission  of  five,  at  least  two  of  whom  shall  be  resident  Hawaiians, 
to  recommend  to  Congress  such  legislation  as  they  may  deem  advisable. 
The  public  debt  of  Plawaii,  not  to  exceed  $4,000,000,  is  assumed,  Chinese 
immigration  is  prohibited,  all  treaties  with  other  powers  are  declared 
null,  and  it  is  provided  that  until  Congress  shall  provide  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  islands  all  civil,  judicial  and  military  powers  now  exer- 
cised by  the  officers  of  the  existing  government  shall  be  exercised  in 


438  HAWAII,   AND    OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY. 

such  manner  as  the  President  shall  direct,  and  he  is  given  power  to 
appoint  persons  to  put  in  effect  a  provisional  government  for  the  islands. 

Mr.  Fitzgerald  spoke  against  the  Newlands  resolutions.  In-  the 
course  of  his  speech  he  emphasized  the  failure  of  the  majority  of  Ha- 
waiians  to  express  their  desire  relative  to  annexation.  He  insisted 
that  every  people  had  the  right  to  the  government  of  their  choice. 
Speaking  further,  Mr.  Fitzgerald  opposed  annexation  on  the  ground  that 
an  injurious  labor  element  would  be  brought  into  competition  with 
American  laborers. 

Supporting  the  resolution  Mr.  Berry  devoted  much  of  his  time  to 
showing  that  annexation  was  in  line  with  democratic  policy.  He  re- 
viewed the  territorial  additions  to  the  original  states  to  show  that  prac- 
tically all  had  been  made  by  democrats. 

Mr.  Berry  digressed  to  speak  of  the  Philippine  situation,  and  while 
not  advocating  the  retention  of  the  islands  he  declared  the  United  States 
should  brook  no  interference  upon  the  part  of  Germany.  He  said 
America  should  resent  any  intervention  with  all  her  arms  and  warships. 
Mr.  Berry's  remarks  in  this  connection  were  applauded  generously. 

William  Alden  Smith,  member  of  the  committee  on  foreign  affairs, 
advocating  annexation,  said: 

"Annexation  is  not  new  to  us.  In  my  humble  opinion  the  whole 
North  American  continent  and  every  island  in  the  gulf  and  the  Carib- 
bean sea  and  such  islands  in  the  Pacific  as  may  be  deemed  desirable  are 
worthy  of  our  ambition.  Not  that  we  are  earth  hungry,  but,  as  a 
measure  of  national  protection  and  advantage,  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
American  people  to  lay  peaceful  conquest  wherever  opportunity  may  be 
offered. 

"It  has  been  argued  that  our  constitution  makes  no  provision  for  a 
colonial  system,  but  if  President  Monroe  had  been  merely  a  lawyer,  if 
he  had  contented  himself  by  looking  for  precedent  which  he  was  unable 
to  find,  if  he  had  consulted  the  jurisprudence  of  his  time  and  planned 
his  action  along  academic  lines  the  greatest  doctrine  ever  announced 
to  the  civilized  world,  which  now  bears  his  name,  though  in  unwritten 
law,  but  in  the  inspiration,  the  hope,  the  security  of  every  American 
heart,  would  have  found  no  voice  potent  enough  and  courageous  enough 
to  have  encircled  the  western  hemisphere  with  his  peaceful  edict. 

"Precedent,  sir,  may  do  for  a  rule  of  law  upon  which  a  fixed  and 
definite  superstructure  must  be  built,  but  it  is  the  duty  of  statesman- 
ship to  cease  looking  at  great  public  questions  with  a  microscope  and- 
sweep  the  world's  horizon  with  a  telescope  from  a  commanding  height." 


HAWAII,    AND    OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY.  439 

Mr.  Johnson  then  was  recognized  for  a  speech  in  opposition.  He 
laid  down  the  three  propositions  that  annexation  was  unnecessary  as  a 
war  measure  in  the  present  conflict  with  Spain;  that  annexation  was 
unnecessary  to  prevent  the  islands  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  some 
other  power  to  be  used  against  us,  and  that  the  proposition  to  annex 
was  inherently  wrong  and  was  the  opening  wedge  upon  an  undesirable 
and  disastrous  policy  of  colonization. 

Advancing  to  the  danger  of  annexation  being  the  first  step  in  coloni- 
zation, he  said  gentlemen  could  not  deny  that  the  holding  of  the  Philip- 
pines was  contemplated  already.  What  was  more  deplorable  and  sig- 
nificant, he  said,  was  the  expressed  fear  of  the  President  lest  Spain 
should  sue  for  peace  before  we  could  secure  Puerto  Eico.  Mr.  Johnson 
said  men  were  already  speaking  disparagingly  of  the  Cubans  and  their 
capacity  for  government,  and  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  hide  the  truth 
that  American  eyes  of  avarice  were  already  turned  to  Cuba,  although 
but  two  months  since  action  was  taken  to  free  and  establish  that  island 
as  independent. 

Reply  by  Mr.  Dolliver. 

Mr.  Dolliver,  speaking  in  support  of  the  resolutions,  complimented 
the  speech  of  the  Indiana  member,  but  suggested  its  success  as  an 
applause-getter  would  be  greater  than  as  a  maker  of  votes. 

"I  cannot  understand,"  declared  Mr.  Dolliver,  "how  a  man  who  dis- 
trusts everything  of  his  own  country  can  fail  utterly  to  suspect  anything 
upon  the  part  of  other  great  powers  of  the  world."  Concluding,  Mr. 
Dolliver  refuted  the  charge  that  annexationists  had  any  hidden  motives 
looking  to  colonial  expansion.  As  to  the  future  of  the  Philippines, 
Cuba  and  Puerto  Rico,  he  declared  that  he  knew  nothing,  but  he  had 
faith  that  in  the  providence  of  God  the  American  people  would  be 
guided  aright  and  these  questions  would  be  met  and  disposed  of  prop- 
erly when  occasion  should  arise. 

Mr.  Cummings,  in  a  ten-minute  speech,  supported  annexation  and 
indulged  in  severe  denunciation  of  former  President  Cleveland  for  his 
effort  to  re-establish  the  monarchy  in  Hawaii  and  the  hauling  down  of 
the  American  flag  by  Commissioner  Blount. 

.  Mr.  Hepburn  was  recognized  to  conclude  in  support  of  the  resolu- 
tions, lie  believed  the  people  of  the  country  were  familiar  with  the 
rssue  involved,  and  the  time  was  opportune  for  a  vote  and  final  action. 
Answering  the  claim  tjiat  annexation  would  mean  launching  upoi? 


440  HAWAII,   AND    OUR   ANNEXATION    POLICY. 

colonization,  he  disavowed  any  such  understanding.  He  said  he  hoped 
to  see  every  Spanish  possession  fall  into  the  possession  of  this  country 
in  order  to  contribute  to  the  enemy's  injury,  and  that  being  accomplished 
the  question  of  their  disposition  would  arise  and  be  met  when  the  war 
should  end. 

The  House  resolution  extending  the  sovereignty  of  the  United 
States  over  Hawaii  was  adopted  in  the  Senate  by  a  vote  of  forty-two 
to  twenty-one,  and  President  McKinley's  signature  added  that  country 
to  our  possessions.  Tjie  President  appointed  as  commissioners  to  visit 
the  islands  and  draw  up  for  the  guidance  of  Congress  a  system  of  laws 
for  their  government,  the  following  gentlemen:  Senator  Shelby  M. 
Cullom,  of  Illinois;  Senator  John  T.  Morgan,  of  Alabama;  Kepresenta- 
tive  Robert  R.  Hitt,  of  Illinois;  President  Sanford  B.  Dole,  of  Hawaii; 
•Justice  W.  F.  Frear,  of  Hawaii. 


CHAPTER  L. 

CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  AMERICAN   SOLDIERS   AND   SAILORS. 

The  Bombardment  of  San  Juan — The  Engagement  at  Cardenas — The  Voyage 
of  the  Oregon — The  Battle  at  Guantanamo — Santiago  Under  Fire — 
Landing  the  Troops  in  Cuba — The  Charge  of  the  Rough  Riders — The 
Sinking  of  the  Merrimac — The  Destruction  of  Cervera's  Fleet — The 
Fall  of  Santiago. 

On  the  morning  of  May  12,  a  portion  of  the  fleet,  commanded  by 
Admiral  Sampson,  made  an  attack  on  the  forts  of  San  Juan  de  Puerto 
Rico.  The  engagement  began  at  5:15  a.  m.  and  ended  at  8:15  a.  m.  The 
enemy's  batteries  were  not  silenced,  but  great  damage  was  done  to 
them,  and  the  town  in  the  rear  of  the  fortifications  suffered  great  losses. 
The  ships  taking  part  in  the  action  were  the  Iowa,  Indiana,  New  York, 
Terror,  Amphitrite,  Detroit,  Montgomery,  Wampatuck,  and  Porter. 

At  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  all  hands  were  called  on  the  Iowa,  a 
few  final  touches  in  clearing  ship  were  made,  and  at  5  "general  quar- 
ters" sounded.  The  men  were  eager  for  the  fight. 

The  tug  Wampatuck  went  ahead  and  anchored  its  small  boat  to 
the  westward,  showing  ten  fathoms,  but  there  was  not  a  sign  of  life 
from  the  fort,  which  stood  boldly  against  the  sky  on  the  eastern  hills 
hiding  the  town. 

The  Detroit  steamed  far  to  the  eastward,  opposite  Valtern.  The 
Iowa  headed  straight  for  the  shore.  Suddenly  its  helm  flew  over,, 
bringing  the  starboard  battery  to  bear  on  the  fortifications. 

At  5:16  a.  m.  the  Iowa's  forward  twelve-inch  guns  thundered  out 
at  the  sleeping  hills,  and  for  fourteen  minutes  they  poured  starboard 
broadsides  on  the  coast.  Meanwhile  the  Indiana,  the  New  York,  and 
other  ships  repeated  the  dose  from  the  rear.  The  Iowa  turned  and  canio 
back  to  the  Wampatuck's  boat  and  again  led  the  column,  the  forts 
replying  fiercely,  concentrating  on  the  Detroit,  which  was  about  700 
yards  away,  all  the  batteries  on  the  eastward  arm  of  the  harbor.  Thrice 
the  column  passed  from  the  entrance  of  the  harbor  to  the  extreme 
eastward  battery. 

Utter  indifference  was  shown  for  the  enemy's  fire.    The  wounded 

443 


444  CONTINUED   SUCCESS   FOR   THE   AMERICANS. 

were  quickly  attended,  the  blood  was  washed  away,  and  everything 
proceeded  like  target  practice. 

Morro  battery,  on  the  eastward  arm  of  the  harbor,  was  the  prin- 
cipal point  of  attack.  Rear  Admiral  Sampson  and  Captain  Evans 
were  on  the  lower  bridge  of  the  Iowa  and  had  a  narrow  escape  from 
flying  splinters,  which  injured  three  men.  The  Iowa  was  hit  eight 
times,  but  the  shells  made  no  impression  on  its  armor.  The  weather 
was  fine,  but  the  heavy  swells  made  accurate  aim  difficult. 

The  broadsides  from  the  Iowa  and  Indiana  rumbled  in  the  hills 
ashore  for  five  minutes  after  they  were  delivered.  Clouds  of  dust 
showed  where  the  shells  struck,  but  the  smoke  hung  over  everything. 
The  shells  screeching  overhead  and  dropping  around  showed  that  the 
Spaniards  still  stuck  to  their  guns. 

The  enemy's  firing  was  heavy,  but  wild,  and  the  Iowa  and  New 
York  were  the  only  ships  hit.  They  went  right  up  under  the  guns  in 
column,  delivering  broadsides,  and  then  returned.  The  after-turret  of 
the  Arnphitrite  got  out  of  order  temporarily  during  the  engagement, 
but  it  banged  away  with  its  forward  guns.  After  the  first  passage 
before  the  forts,  the  Detroit  and  the  Montgomery  retired,  their  guns 
being  too  small  to  do  much  damage.  The  Porter  and  Wampatuck  also 
stayed  out  of  range.  The  smoke  hung  over  everything,  spoiling  the  aim 
of  the  gunners  and  making  it  impossible  to  tell  where  our  shots  struck. 
The  officers  and  men  of  all  the  ships  behaved  with  coolness  and  bravery. 
The  shots  flew  thick  and  fast  over  all  our  ships. 

The  men  of  the  Iowa  who  were  hurt  during  the  action  were  injured 
by  splinters  thrown  by  an  eight-inch  shell,  which  came  through  a  boat 
into  the  superstructure,  and  scattered  fragments  in  all  directions.  The 
shot's  course  was  finally  ended  on  an  iron  plate  an  inch  thick. 

At  7:45  a.  m.  Admiral  Sampson  signaled  "Cease  firing."  "Retire" 
was  sounded  on  the  Iowa,  and  it  headed  from  the  shore. 

After  the  battle  was  over  Admiral  Sampson  said: 

"I  am  satisfied  with  the  morning's  work.  I  could  have  taken  San 
Juan,  but  had  no  force  to  hold  it.  I  merely  wished  to  punish  the  Span- 
iards, and  render  the  port  unavailable  as  a  refuge  for  the  Spanish 
fleet.  I  came  to  destroy  that  fleet  and  not  to  take  San  Juan." 

The  man  killed  by  the  fire  from  the  forts  was  Frank  Widemark,  a 
seaman  on  the  flagship  New  York.  A  gunner's  mate  on  the  Amphi- 
trite  died  during  the  action  from  prostration  caused  by  the  extreme 
heat  and  excitement. 

The  Iowa,  Indiana,  New  York,  Terror,  and  Amphitrite  went  close 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  445 

under  the  fortifications  after  the  armed  tug  Wampatuck  had  piloted 
the  way  and  made  soundings. 

The  Detroit  and  Montgomery  soon  drew  out  of  the  line  of  battle, 
their  guns  being  too  small  for  effective  work  against  fortifications. 

Three  times  the  great  fighting  ships  swung  past  Morro  and  the 
batteries,  roaring  out  a  continuous  fire.  Whenever  the  dense  smoke 
would  lift,  great  gaps  could  be  seen  in  the  gray  walls  of  Morro,  while 
from  the  batteries  men  could  be  seen  scurrying  in  haste. 

The  Spanish  fire  was  quick  enough,  but  ludicrously  uncertain. 
This  was  shown  after  Admiral  Sampson  had  given  the  order  to  cease 
firing  and  retire.  The  monitor  Terror  evidently  misunderstood  the 
order,  for  it  remained  well  in  range  of  the  Spanish  guns  and  continued 
the  bombardment  alone.  The  few  guns  still  served  by  the  Spaniards 
kept  banging  away  at  the  Terror,  and  some  of  the  shots  missed  it  at 
least  a  mile.  It  remained  at  its  work  for  half  an  hour  before  retiring, 
and  in  all  this  time  was  not  once  hit. 

The  First  Americans  Killed. 

America's  first  dead  fell  on  the  llth  of  May  in  a  fierce  and  bloody 
combat  off  Cardenas,  on  the  north  coast  of  Cuba.  Five  men  were 
blown  to  pieces  and  five  were  wTounded  on  the  torpedo  boat  Winslow. 
The  battle  was  between  the  torpedo  boat  Winslow,  the  auxiliary  tug 
Hudson,  and  the  gunboat  Wilmington  on  one  side,  and  the  Cardenas 
batteries  and  four  Spanish  gunboats  on  the  other.  The  battle  lasted 
but  thirty-five  minutes,  but  was  remarkable  for  terrific  fighting.  The 
Winslow  was  the  main  target  of  the  enemy,  and  was  put  out  of  service. 
The  other  American  vessels  were  not  damaged,  except  that  the  Hud- 
son's two  ventilators  were  slightly  scratched  by  flying  shrapnel.  The 
Winslow  was  within  2,500  yards  of  the  shore  when  the  shells  struck. 
How  it  came  to  be  so  close  was  told  by  its  commander,  Lieutenant  John 
Bernadou.  He  said: 

"We  were  making  observations  when  the  enemy  opened  fire  on  us. 
The  Wilmington  ordered  us  to  go  in  and  attack  the  gunboats.  We  went 
in  under  full  steam  and  there's  the  result." 

He  was  on  the  Hudson  when  he  said  this,  and  with  the  final  words 
he  pointed  to  the  huddle  of  American  flags  on  the  deck  near  by.  Under 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  were  outlined  five  rigid  forms. 

List  of  the  killed:  Worth  Bagley,  ensign;  John  Daniels,  first-class 
fireman;  John  Tunnel,  cabin  cook;  John  Varveres,  oiler.  The  wounded: 


446  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

J.  B.  Bernadou,  lieutenant,  commanding  the  Winslow;  K.  E.  Cox,  gun* 
ner's  mate;  D.  McKeowan,  quartermaster;  J.  Patterson,  fireman;  F. 
Gray. 

Story  of  the  Fight. 

The  story  of  the  fight,  as  told  by  the  Hudson's  men,  is  as  follows: 

The  Winslow,  the  Hudson,  the  Machias,  and  the  Wilmington  were 
among  the  ships  off  Cardenas  on  the  blockade,  the  Wilmington  acting 
as  flagship.  The  Machias  lay  about  twelve  miles  out.  The  others  were 
stationed  close  in,  on  what  is  called  the  inside  line.  At  a  quarter  to  9 
o'clock  the  Hudson,  under  Captain  F.  H.  Newton,  was  taking  soundings 
in  Diana  Cay  bars  and  Eomero  Cay,  just  outside  Cardenas,  so  close  to 
shore  that  it  grounded,  but  it  floated  off  easily  into  the  shallow  wrater. 

At  half  past  11  the  Wilmington  spoke  the  Hudson  and  the  Winslow 
and  assigned  them  to  duty,  the  Winslow  to  start  to  the  eastern  shore  of 
Cardenas  Bay  and  the  Hudson  to  the  western  shore,  while  the  Wilming- 
ton took  its  station  in  mid-channel.  This  work  occupied  two  hours. 
Nothing  was  discovered  on  either  shore,  and  the  boats  were  approach- 
ing each  other  on  their  return  when  a  puff  of  smoke  was  observed  on 
shore  at  Cardenas,  and  a  shell  whistled  over  them.  The  Winslow  was 
on  the  inside,  nearer  the  shore.  The  Hudson  and  the  Winslow  reported 
to  the  Wilmington,  and  orders  came  promptly  to  go  in  and  open  fire; 
but  the  Spaniards  had  not  wraited  for  a  reply  to  their  first  shot.  The 
Cardenas  harbor  shore  had  already  become  one  dense  cloud  of  smoke, 
shot  with  flashes  of  fire  and  an  avalanche  of  shells  was  bursting  toward 
the  little  Winslow: 

This  was  at  five  minutes  past  2  o'clock,  and  for  twenty  minutes  the 
firing  continued  from  the  shore  without  cessation,  but  none  of  the  shots 
had  at  that  time  found  their  mark,  though  they  were  striking  danger- 
ously near.  Meanwhile  the  Hudson's  two  six-pounders  were  banging 
away  at  a  terrific  rate.  How  many  of  the  torpedo  boat's  shots  took 
effect  is  not  known.  The  first  two  of  the  Hudson's  shells  fell  short, 
but  after  these  two  every  one  floated  straight  into  the  smoke-clouded 
shore.  The  Spaniard's  aim  in  the  meantime  was  improving  and  it  was 
presently  seen  that  two  empty  barks  had  been  anchored  off  shore.  It 
was  twenty-five  minlites  before  3  o'clock  when  a  four-inch  shell  struck 
the  Winslow  on  the  starboard  beam,  knocking  out  its  forward  boiler  and 
starboard  engine  and  crippling  the  steering  gear,  but  no  one  was  injured. 

Lieutenant  Bernadou  was  standing  forward  watching  the  battle 
.with  calm  interest  and  directing  his  men  as  coolly  as  if  they  were  at 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  447 

target  practice.  By  the  one-pounder  amidships  stood  Ensign  Bagley, 
the  oiler,  the  two  firemen,  and  the  cook.  The  little  boat  gasped  and 
throbbed  and  rolled  helplessly  from  side  to  side.  Lieutenant  Bernadou 
did  not  stop  for  an  examination.  He  knew  his  boat  was  uncontrollable. 
The  Hudson  was  a  short  distance  off  still  pounding  away  with  her  guns. 
It  was  hailed  and  asked  to  take  the  Winslow  in  tow.  It  wras  a  vital 
moment.  Guns  roared  from  shore  and  sea.  Lieutenant  Scott,  in  charge 
of  the  Hudson's  aft  gun,  sat  on  a  box  and  smoked  a  cigarette  as  he 
directed  the  fire. 

Captain  Newton  stood  near  Lieutenant  Meed  at  the  forward  gun  and 
watched  its  workings  with  interest.  Chief  Engineer  Gutchin  never 
missed  his  bell.  A  group  of  sailors  was  making  ready  to  heave  a  line 
to  the  Winslow,  and  Ensign  Bagley  and  his  four  men  stood  on  the  port 
side  of  the  latter  vessel,  waiting  to  receive  it.  A  vicious  fire  was  singing 
about  them.  The  Spaniards  seemed  to  have  found  the  exact  range. 

Killed  by  a  Bursting  Shell. 

There  was  a  momentary  delay  in  heaving  the  towline,  and  Ensign 
Bagley  suggested  that  the  Hudson's  men  hurry.  "Heave  her,"  he  called. 
"Let  her  come;  it's  getting  pretty  warm  here."  The  line  was  thrown 
and  grabbed  by  the  Winslow's  men.  Grimy  with  sweat  and  powder, 
they  tugged  at  it  and  drew  nearer  foot  by  foot  to  the  Hudson.  Almost 
at  the  same  instant  another  four-inch  shell  shrieked  through  the  smoke 
and  burst  directly  under  them.  Five  bodies  wrent  whirling  through  the 
air.  Two  of  the  group  were  dead  when  they  fell — Ensign  Bagley  and 
Fireman  Daniels.  The  young  ensign  was  literally,  disemboweled,  and 
the  entire  lower  portion  of  the  fireman's  body  wras  torn  away.  The 
other  three  died  within  a  few  minutes.  A  flying  piece  of  shrapnel 
struck  Lieutenant  Bernadou  in  the  thigh  and  cut  an  ugly  gash,  but  the 
Lieutenant  did  not  know  it  then.  With  the  explosion  of  the  shell  the 
hawser  parted  and  the  Winslow's  helm  went  hard  to  starboard,  and, 
with  its  steering  gear  smashed,  the  torpedo  boat  floundered  about  in 
the  water  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy's  fire,  which  never  relaxed. 

The  fire  of  the  Americans  was  of  the  usual  persistent  character,  and 
the  nerve  of  the  men  was  marvelous.  Even  after  the  Winslow's  star- 
board engine  and  steering  ^ear  were  wrecked  the  little  boat  continued 
pouring  shot  into  the  Spaniards  on  shore  until  it  was  totally  disabled. 

Meanwhile  the  Wilmington  from  its  outlying  station  was  busy  with 
its  bigger  guns  and  sent  shell  after  shell  from  its  four-inch  guns  crash- 


448  CONTINUED   SUCCESS  FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

ing  into  the  works  on  shore,  and  their  execution  must  have  been  deadly. 
Not  a  fragment  of  shot  or  shell  from  the  enemy  reached  the  Wilmington. 

The  Hudson  quickly  threw  another  line  to  the  Winslow,  and  the 
helpless  torpedo  boat  was  made  fast  and  pulled  out  of  the  Spainards' 
exact  range.  The  tug  then  towed  it  to  Piedras  Cay,  a  little  island  twelve 
miles  off,  near  which  the  Machias  lay.  There  it  was  anchored  for  tem- 
porary repairs,  while  the  Hudson  brought  the  ghastly  cargo  into  Key 
West,  with  Dr.  Eichards  of  the  Machias  attending  to  the  wounded.  Not 
until  this  mournful  journey  was  begun  was  it  learned  that  Lieutenant 
Bernadou  had  been  injured.  He  scoffed  at  the  wound  as  a  trifle,  but  sub- 
mitted to  treatment  and  is  doing  well. 

When  the  Hudson  drew  up  to  the  government  dock  at  Key  West  the 
flags  at  half  mast  told  the  few  loiterers  on  shore  that  death  had  come  to 
some  one,  and  the  bunting  spread  on  the  dec«k,  with  here  and  there  a 
foot  protruding  from  beneath,  confirmed  the  news.  Ambulances  were 
called  and  the  wounded  were  carried  quickly  to  the  army  barracks  hos- 
pital. The  dead  were  taken  to  the  lo-cal  undertaker's  shop,  where  they 
lay  all  day  on  slabs,  the  mutilated  forms  draped  with  flags.  The  public 
were  permitted  to  view  the  remains,  and  all  day  a  steady  stream  of 
people  flowed  through  the  shop. 

The  American  boats  made  furious  havoc  with  Cardenas  harbor  and 
town.  The  captain  of  the  Hudson  said: 

"I  know  we  destroyed  a  large  part  of  their  town  near  the  wharves, 
burned  one  of  their  gunboats,  and  I  think  destroyed  two  other  torpedo 
destroyers.  We  were  in  a  vortex  of  shot,  shell  and  smoke,  and  could  not 
tell  accurately,  but  we  saw  one  of  their  boats  on  fire  and  sinking  soon 
after  the  action  began.  Then  a  large  building  near  the  wharf,  I  think 
the  barracks,  took  fire,  and  many  other  buildings  were  soon  burning. 
The  Spanish  had  masked  batteries  on  all  sides  of  us,  hidden  in  bushes 
and  behind  houses.  They  set  a  trap  for  us.  As  soon  as  we  got  within 
range  of  their  batteries  they  would  move  them.  I  think  their  guns  were 
field  pieces.  Our  large  boats  could  not  get  into  the  harbor  to  help  us  on 
account  of  the  shallow  water." 

Amid  a  perfect  storm  of  shot  from  Spanish  rifles  and  batteries  the 
American  forces  made  an  attempt  to  cut  the  cables  at  Cienf uegos,  on  the 
llth  of  May.  Four  determined  boat  crews,  under  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Winslow  and  Ensign  Magruder,  from  the  cruiser  Marblehead 
and  gunboat .  Nashville,  put  out  from  the  ships,  the  coast  having 
previously  been  shelled,  and  began  their  perilous  work.  The  cruiser 
>>  irblehead,  the  gunboat  Nashville  and  the  auxiliary  cruiser  Windom 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  449 

drew  up  a  thousand  yards  from  shore  with  their  guns  manned  for 
desperate  duty. 

One  cable  was  quickly  severed  and  the  work  was  in  progress  on 
the  other  wThen  the  Spaniards  in  rifle  pits  and  a  battery  in  an  old 
lighthouse  standing  out  in  the  bay  opened  fire.  The  warships  poured 
in  a  thunderous  volley,  their  great  guns  belching  forth  massive  shells 
into  the  swrarms  of  the  enemy.  The  crews  of  the  boats  proceeded  with 
their  desperate  work,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  a  number  of  men 
had  fallen,  and,  after  finishing  their  task,  returned  to  the  ships  through 
a  blinding  smoke  and  a  heavy  fire.  Two  men  were  killed,  and  seven 
wounded  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Maynard  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  death.  A  rifle  shot  hit  his  side  close  to  the  heart,  but  caused 
only  a  flesh  wound  and  he  kept  at  his  post  to  the  end.  The  officers 
of  the  Windoin  were  enthusiastic  over  the  work  of  the  men  in  the 
launches.  They  fired  in  regular  order  and  shot  well.  The  Windom 
demolished  the  lighthouse,  which  was  in  reality  a  fort,  and  not  one 
stone  was  left  standing  upon  another. 

On  May  14  Admiral  Sampson  ordered  Captain  Goodrich  to  cut  the 
French  cable  running  from  Mole  St.  Nicholas,  Hayti,  to  Guantanamo, 
Cuba,  about  thirty  miles  to  the  eastward  of  Santiago.  In  compliance  with 
this  order  the  St.  Louis  and  the  Wampatuck  appeared  off  Guantanamo 
about  daylight,  and  the  Wampatuck,  with  Lieutenant  Jungen  in  com- 
mand and  Chief  Officer  Seagrave,  Ensign  Payne,  Lieutenant  Catlin 
and  eight  marines  and  four  seamen  on  board,  steamed  into  the  mouth 
of  the  harbor,  and,  dropping  a  grapnel  in  eight  fathoms  of  water, 
proceeded  to  drag  across  the  mouth  of  the  harbor  for  the  cable. 

About  150  fathoms  of  line  were  run  out  when  the  cable  was  hooked 
in  fifty  fathoms  of  water.  This  time  the  lookout  reported  a  Spanish  gun- 
boat coming  down  the  harbor  and  a  signal  was  sent  to  the  St.  Louis, 
lying  half  a  mile  outside.  She  had  already  discovered  it,  and  immedi- 
ately opened  fire  with  her  two  port  six-pounders.  The  Wampatuck 
then  commenced  firing  with  her  one  three-pounder.  The  gunboat,  how- 
ever, was  out  of  range  of  these  small  guns  and  the  shells  fell  short. 

The  Spaniards  opened  fire  wTith  a  four-inch  gun,  and  every  shot  went 
whistling  over  the  little  Wampatuck  and  struck  in  the  water  between 
her  and  the  St.  Louis.  Being  well  out  of  range  of  the  six-pounders  the 
gunboat  was  perfectly  safe,  and  she  steamed  back  and  forth  firing  her 
larger  guns  For  about  forty  minutes  the  tug  worked  on  the  cable,  while 
the  shells  were  striking  all  around  her,  but  she  seemed  to  bear  a 
charmed  life. 


450  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

Captain  Goodrich,  seeing  that  he  could  not  get  the  gunboat  \vithiu 
range  of  his  small  guns,  while  that  vessel  could  easily  reach  the  St.  Louis 
and  Wampatuck  with  her  heavier  battery,  signaled  the  tug  to  withdraw. 
The  grappling  line  was  cut  and  both  vessels  steamed  out  to  sea,  leaving 
the  cable  uncut. 

As  the  tug  turned  and  started  out  it  was  noticed  that  riflemen  on 
shore  were  firing  at  her.  Lieutenant  Catlin  opened  up  writh  the  Gatling 
gun  mounted  aft  and  the  Spaniards  on  shore  could  be  seen  scattering 
and  running  for  shelter.  The  French  cable  wras  cut  the  next  morning  off 
Mole  St.  Nicholas,  well  outside  of  the  three-mile  limit. 

Lieutenant  Catlin  was  formerly  on  the  battleship  Maine,  and  perhaps 
he  took  more  than  ordinary  interest  in  firing  his  guns. 

"You  could  tell  by  the  grim  smile  on  his  face  as  he  fired  each  shot," 
one  of  his  brother  officers  said,  "that  he  was  trying  to  'get  even/  as 
far  as  lay  in  his  power,  for  the  awful  work  in  Havana  harbor." 

Second  Call  for  Volunteers. 

The  President  issued  a  proclamation  calling  for  75,000  more  volun- 
teers on  May  25.  This  made  the  total  army  strength,  regular  and 
volunteer,  280,000. 

The  official  call  issued  by  the  President  in  the  form  of  a  proclamation 
was  as  follows: 

Whereas,  An  act  of  Congress  was  approved  on  the  25th  day  of  April, 
1898,  entitled  "An  act  declaring  that  war  exists  between  the  United  States 
of  America  and  the  kingdom  of  Spain,"  and, 

Whereas,  By  an  act  of  Congress,  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  tempo- 
rarily increasing  the  military  establishment  of  the  United  States  in  time  of 
war  and  for  other  purposes,"  approved  April  22, 1898,  the  President  is  author- 
ized, in  order  to  raise  a  volunteer  army,  to  issue  his  proclamation  calling 
for  volunteers  to  serve  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

Now,  therefore,  I,  William  McKinley,  President  of  the  United  States,  by 
virtue  of  the  power  vested  in  me  by  the  constitution  and  the  laws  and  deem- 
ing sufficient  occasion  to  exist,  have  thought  fit  to  call  forth,  and  hereby  do 
call  forth,  volunteers  to  the  aggregate  number  of  75,000  in  addition  to  the 
volunteers  called  forth  b\y  my  proclamation  of  the  23d  day  of  April,  in  the 
present  year;  the  same  to  be  apportioned,  as  far  as  practicable,  among  the 
several  States  and  Territories  and  the  District  of  Columbia,  according  to 
population,  and  to  serve  for  two  years  unless  sooner  discharged.  The  pro- 
portion of  each  arm  and  the  details  of  enlistment  and  organization  will  be 
made  known  through  the  war  department. 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  451 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  seal  of 
the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  25th  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord,  1898,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States,  the  122d. 

WILLIAM  McKINLEY. 
By  the  President, 

WILLIAM  R.  DAY,  Secretary  of  State. 

Running  Down  His  Prey. 

Four  weeks  after  the  victory  of  Rear-Admiral  Dewey  at  Manila, 
Commodore  Sckley,  in  command  of  the  flying  squadron,  had  his  shrewd- 
ness and  pertinacity  rewarded  by  finding  the  Spanish  fleet  in  the  harbor 
of  Santiago  de  Cuba. 

For  ten  days  he  had,  in  the  face  of  conflicting  rumors,  insisted  that 
the  ships  of  Spain  were  trying  to  make  a  landing  on  the  southern  coast 
of  Cuba.  This  was  evidently  not  in  consonance  with  certain  official  in- 
formation and  his  opinion  was  not  given  much  weight. 

The  captain  of  the  British  steamer  Adula,  who  was  interviewed  nt 
Cienfuegos,  told  of  seeing  the  Spanish  fleet  in  the  vicinity  of  Santiago  de 
Cuba,  evidently  awaiting  an  opportunity  to  get  in.  Captain  Sigsbee  of 
the  St.  Paul  related  how  he  had  captured  a  Spanish  coal  vessel  going 
into  the  harbor  of  Santiago,  and  Commodore  Schley  argiaed  from 
these  two  incidents  that  the  fleet  of  Spain  was  waiting  in  some  haven 
near  by  until  such  time  as  a  visit,  fruitless  in  its  results,  should  be 
made  there  by  the  Americans  when,  upon  their  departure,  the  Span- 
ish fleet  would  run  in. 

Consequently,  Commodore  Schley  determined  to  find  it.  Himself 
in  the  lead  with  the  flagship,  he  started  toward  the  harbor.  The 
Spanish  troops  at  the  works  and  batteries  could  be  seen,  through 
glasses,  preparing  in  haste  to  give  the  American  ships  as  warm  a  recep- 
tion as  possible. 

When  about  five  miles  from  the  batteries  the  lookouts  reported  the 
masts  of  two  ships,  and  Flag  Lieutenant  Sears  and  Ensign  McCauley 
made  out  the  first  to  be  the  Cristobal  Colon.  Two  torpedo  boats  were 
also  made  out  and  a' second  vessel  of  the  Vizcaya  class  was  seen. 

All  this  time  Commodore  Schley  was  upon  the  afterbridge  of  the 
Brooklyn  making  good  use  of  his  binoculars.  Arrived  at  the  harbor  en- 
trance, when  the  ships  were  sighted  from  the  deck,  he  turned  his  eyes 
from  the  glasses  long  enough  to  wink  and  say:  "I  told  you  I  would 
find  them.  They  will  be  a  long  time  getting  home." 


CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 


The  Voyage  of  the  Oregon. 

The  voyage  of  the  Oregon  from  San  Francisco  to  Florida  is  a  mat- 
ter of  historic  interest,  for  it  was  the  first  craft  of  the  kind  to  weather 
the  famous  cape.  When  it  anchored  off  Sand  Key,  Fla.,  it  had  com- 
pleted the  longest  trip  ever  made  by  a  battleship.  Altogether  she 
sailed  18,102  miles  in  eighty-one  days,  and  this  includes  the  days  she 
spent  in  coaling.  Prior  to  this  trip  the  record  for  long  voyages  had 
been  held  by  a  British  flagship,  which  steamed  from  England  to  China. 
The  distance  from  Puget  Sound  to  Sand  Key  is  more  than  two-thirds 
the  circumference  of  the  earth.  The  big  trip  was  a  record  of  itself, 
and  it  included  within  it  several  minor  records  for  battleship  steam- 
ing. For  example,  the  Oregon  ran  4,726  miles  without  a  stop  of  any 
kind  for  any  purpose.  Such  a  run  is  longer  than  the  voyage  from  New 
York  to  Queenstown  or  to  Bremen  or  to  Havre.  It  is  comparable  with 
the  great  runs  of  the  magnificent  merchant  ships  of  the  Peninsular  and 
Oriental  Steamship  Navigation  Company  from  London  to  Calcutta, 
Bombay  and  Madras.  It  was  a  triumph  for  any  kind  of  a  ship,  but  it 
was  a  wonder  for  a  battleship.  The  Oregon  left  Puget  Sound  March 
6,  left  San  Francisco  on  March  19  and  drew  up  at  Sand  Key,  Fla.,  on 
May  26.  Everything  on  board  of  her  was  shipshape.  Her  engines,  of 
11,111  horse  power,  were  bright  and  fresh  and  ready  for  another  voyage 
of  17,000  miles.  Not  a  bolt  was  loose;  not  a  screw  was  out  of  order. 

Hobson  Wins  Fame. 

On  Thursday,  June  2,  Admiral  Sampson  decided  to  send  the  collier 
Merrimac  into  the  bay  of  Santiago  and  sink  it  in  the  channel's  nar- 
rowest part,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  Cervera  and  his  fleet  in  the 
harbor,  until  the  time  when  their  capture  or  destruction  seemed  ad- 
visable. He  called  for  volunteers,  explaining  that  it  was  a  desperate 
mission,  death  being  almost  certain  for  all  those  who  ventured  in. 

Then  the  navy  showed  the  stuff  of  which  it%  is  made.  A-dmiral 
Sampson  wanted  eight  men.  He  could  have  had  every  officer  and  man 
in  the  fleet,  for  all  were  more  than  ready.  Lieutenant  Richmond  P. 
Hobson  was  selected  to  command  the  expedition,  and  Daniel  Montague, 
George  Charette,  J.  C.  Murphy,  Osborn  Deignan,  George  F.  Phillips, 
Francis  Kelly  and  R.  Clausen  were  detailed  to  accompany  him. 

Just  before  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  the  collier,  deeply 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  453 

laden  with  ballast  material  and  some  coal,  was  headed  without  pre- 
liminary maneuver  straight  for  the  entrance,  over  which  the  remaining 
batteries  from  Morro  frowned  from  one  side,  and  those  from  Socapa 
from  the  other.  In  the  darkness  of  the  early  morning  the  Merrimac, 
without  a  light  showing  anywhere,  dashed  within  the  line  of  the  forts 
before  it  was  discovered,  Sampson's  ships  thundering  at  the  enemy's 
batteries  to  divert  their  attention  from  the  collier.  The  Spaniards 
soon  detected  it,  however,  and  brought  every  possible  gun  to  bear.  In 
the  face  of  a  terrific  fire  of  shot  and  shell  from  Spanish  guns  the  Mer- 
riuiac  ran  into  the  narrow  channel,  where  it  was  swung  across  and 
anchored.  Then  Lieutenant  Hobson  blew  a  hole  in  the  ship's  bottom 
and  with  his  seven  men  took  to  a  boat.  They  first  made  an  effort  to 
row  out  of  the  harbor  and  regain  the  American  fleet,  but  soon  realizing 
that  to  attempt  to  pass  the  aroused  batteries  would  mean  certain  death 
to  all,  they  turned  and  rowed  straight  towards  the  Spanish  squadron, 
and  surrendered  to  Admiral  Cervera,  who  held  them  as  prisoners  of  war. 
The  Spanish  commander  sent  his  chief  of  staff,  Captain  Oviedo,  under 
a  flag1  of  truce  to  Admiral  Sampson,  bearing  the  information  of  the 
safety  of  the  heroes.  The  Spanish  officers  were  enthusiastic  in  their 
praise  of  the  bravery  shown  by  Hobson  and  his  men,  and  looked  upon 
them  with  amazement  as  heroes  whose  gallantry  far  exceeded  any  Span- 
ish conception  of  what  men  might  do  for  their  country,  and  it  was  with 
great  chagrin  that  Admiral  Cervera  was  prevented  by  the  Madrid 
authorities  from  returning  the  heroic  young  officer  and  his  brave  men 
to  Admiral  Sampson,  but  was  compelled  to  deliver  them  to  the  military 
authorities  ashore  as  prisoners  of  war, 

Thrown  Into  a  Dungeon  by  Linares. 

General  Linares,  with  the  brutal  instinct  that  had  marked  his  con- 
duct of  'Cuban  affairs  already  intrusted  to  him,  deliberately  placed 
Hobson  and  his  men  in  Morro  Castle  as  a  shield  against  the  fire  of 
Sampson's  squadron.  Here  Hobson  was  locked  up  for  five  days  in 
solitary  confinement  in  a  filthy  dungeon  under  conditions  which  must 
have  soon  resulted  in  his  serious  illness  and  perhaps  in  death.  The 
treatment  he  received  and  the  scanty  food  given  him  were  no  better 
than  that  accorded  to  a  common  criminal  condemned  to  execution. 

This  punishment,  however,  was  of  short  duration  on  account  of  the 
vigorous  protest  which  was  made  through  a  neutral  power  to  Spain, 
coupled  with  Admiral  Sampson's  notice  to  the  Spanish  admiral  that 


454  CONTINUED   SUCCESS  FOB  THE   AMERICANS. 

he  would  be  held  personally  responsible  for  Hobson's  welfare.  Under 
these  circumstances  Admiral  Cervera  interposed  his  influence  with 
General  Linares;  and  Hobson,  with  his  men,  was  transferred  to  the  bar- 
racks in  the  city.  Here  his  solitary  confinement  continued,  but  he  could 
look  out  of  a  window  to  the  hills  on  the  east  and  see  the  smoke  from 
the  American  rifles  of  General  Shatter's  men  firing  from  their  intrench- 
ments  with  the  consolation  that  his  captivity  would  be  of  short  duration. 

After  the  assault  on  Santiago  arrangements  were  made  by  the  com- 
manders of  the  two  armies  for  the  exchange  of  Lieutenant  Hobson  and 
his  men  for  Spanish  prisoners  held  by  the  Americans,  and  a  truce  was 
established  for  that  purpose.  The  place  selected  for  the  exchange  was 
under  a  tree  between  the  American  and  Spanish  lines,  two-thirds  of  a 
mile  beyond  the  intrenchments  occupied  by  Colonel  Wood's  Rough 
Riders,  near  General  Wheeler's  headquarters,  and  in  the  center  of  the 
American  line. 

The  American  prisoners  left  the  Reina  Mercedes  hospital  on  the 
outskirts  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  where  they  had  been  confined,  in  charge 
of  Major  Irles,  a  Spanish  staff  officer,  who  speaks  English  perfectly. 

The  prisoners  were  conducted  to  the  meeting  place  on  foot,  but  wTere 
not  blindfolded.  Colonel  John  Jacob  Astor  and  Lieutenant  Miloy,  ac- 
companied by  Interpreter  Maestro,  were  in  charge  of  the  Spanish  prison- 
ers. These  consisted  of  Lieutenants  Amelio  Volez  and  Aurelius,  a 
German,  who  were  captured  at  El  Caney,  and  Lieutenant  Adolfo  Aries 
and  fourteen  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates.  Lieutenant  Aries 
and  a  number  of  the  men  wTere  wounded  in  the  fight  at  El  Caney.  The 
Spanish  prisoners  were  taken  through  the  American  lines  mounted  and 
blindfolded. 

The  meeting  between  Colonel  Astor  and  Major  Irles  was  extremely 
courteous,  but  very  formal,  and  no  attempt  was  made  by  either  of  them 
to  discuss  anything  but  the  matter  in  hand.  Major  Irles  was  given  his 
choice  of  three  Spanish  lieutenants  in  exchange  for  Hobson,  and  was 
also  informed  that  he  could  have  all  of  the  fourteen  men  in  exchange 
for  the  American  sailors.  The  Spanish  officers  selected  Lieutenant 
Aries,  and  the  other  two  Spanish  officers  were  conducted  back  to 
Juragua. 

It  was  then  not  later  than  4  o'clock,  and  just  as  everything  was  fin- 
ished and  the  two  parties  were  separating  Irles  turned  and  said,  courte- 
ously enough,  but  in  a  tone  which  indicated  considerable  defiance  and 
gave  his  hearers  the  impression  that  he  desired  hostilities  to  be  renewed 
at  once: 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  ,455 

"Our  understanding  is,  gentlemen,  that  this  truce  comes  to  an  end 
at  5  o'clock." 

Colonel  Astor  looked  at  his  watch,  bowed  to  the  Spanish  officer, 
without  making  a  reply,  and  then  started  back  slowly  to  the  American 
lines,  with  Hobson  and  his  companions  following. 

The  meeting  of  the  two  parties  and  the  exchange  of  prisoners  had 
taken  place'in  full  view  of  both  the  American  and  Spanish  soldiers  who 
were  intrenched  near  the  meeting  place,  and  the  keenest  interest  was 
taken  in  the  episode. 

Santiago  Under  Fire. 

On  the  morning  of  June  6  the  American  fleet  engaged  the  Spanish 
batteries  defending  the  entrance  of  the  harbor  of  Santiago  de  Cuba, 
and,  after  three  hours'  bombardment,  silenced  nearly  all  the  forts,  de- 
stroyed several  earthworks,  and  rendered  the  Estrella  and  Cayo  bat- 
teries, two  of  the  principal  fortifications,  useless. 

The  fleet  formed  in  double  column,  six  miles  off  Morro  Castle,  at  6 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  steamed  slowly  3,000  yards  off  shore,  the 
Brooklyn  leading,  followed  by  the  Marblehead,  Texas  and  Massachu- 
setts, and  turned  westward.  The  second  line,  the  New  York  leading, 
with  the  New  Orleans,  Yankee,  Iowa  and  Oregon  following,  turned 
eastward. 

The  Vixen  and  Suwanee  were  far  out  on  the  left  flank,  watching  the 
riflemen  on  shore.  The  Dolphin  and  Porter  did  similar  duty  on  the  right 
flank.  The  line  headed  by  the  New  York  attacked  the  new  earthworks 
near  Morro  Castle.  The  Brooklyn  column  took  up  a  station  opposite 
the  Estrella  and  Catalina  batteries  and  the  new  earthworks  along  the 
shore. 

The  Spanish  batteries  remained  silent.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the 
Spaniards  were  able  to  determine  the  character  of  the  movement,  owing 
to  the  dense  fog  and  heavy  rain  which  were  the  weather  features  this 
morning. 

Suddenly  the  Iowa  fired  a  twelve-inch  shell,  which  struck  the  base 
of  Estrella  battery  and  tore  up  the  works.  Instantly  firing  began  from 
both  Rear-Admiral  Sampson's  and  Commodore  Schley's  column,  and 
a  torrent  of  shells  from  the  ships  fell  upon  the  Spanish  works.  The  Span- 
iards replied  promptly,  but  their  artillery  work  was  of  a  poor  quality  and 
most  of  their  shots  went  wild.  Smoke  settled  around  the  ships  in  dense 
clouds,  rendering  accurate  aiming  difficult.  There  was  no  maneuvering 


456  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

of  the  fleet,  the  ships  remaining  at  their  original  stations,  firing  steadily. 
The  squadrons  were  so  close  in  shore  that  it  was  difficult  for  the  Ameri- 
can gunners  to  reach  the  batteries  on  the  hilltops,  but  their  firing  was 
excellent. 

Previous  to  the  bombardment,  orders  were  issued  to  prevent  firing 
on  Morro  Castle,  as  the  American  Admiral  had  been  informed  that  Lieu- 
tenant Hobson  and  the  other  prisoners  of  the  Merrimac  were  confined 
there.  In  spite  of  this,  however,  several  stray  shots  damaged  Morro 
Castle  somewhat. 

Commodore  Schley's  line  moved  closer  in  shore,  firing  at  shorter 
range.  The  Brooklyn  and  Texas  caused  wild  havoc  among  the  Spanish 
shore  batteries,  quickly  silencing  them.  While  the  larger  ships  wrere 
engaging  the  heavy  batteries,  the  Suwanee  and  Vixen  closed  writh  the 
small  in-shore  battery  opposite  them,  raining  rapid-fire  shots  upon  it 
and  quickly  placing  the  battery  out  of  the  fight. 

The  Brooklyn  closed  to  800  yards  and  then  the  destruction  caused  by 
its  guns  and  those  of  the  Marblehead  and  Texas  was  really  awful.  In 
a  few  minutes  the  woodwork  of  Estrella  fort  was  burning  and  the  bat- 
tery was  silenced,  firing  no  more  during  the  engagement.  Eastward 
the  New  York  and  New  Orleans  silenced  the  Cayo  battery  in  quick  order 
and  then  shelled  the  earthworks  located  higher  up.  The  practice  here 
was  not  so  accurate,  owing  to  the  elevation  of  the  guns.  Many  of  the 
shells,  however,  landed,  and  the  Spanish  gunners  retired. 

Shortly  after  9  o'clock  the  firing  ceased,  the  warships  turning  in  or- 
der to  permit  the  use  of  the  port  batteries.  The  firing  then  became  a 
long  reverberating  crash  of  thunder,  and  the  shells  raked  the  Spanish 
batteries  with  terrific  effect.  Fire  broke  out  in  Catalina  fort  and 
silenced  the  Spanish  guns.  The  firing  of  the  fleet  continued  until  10 
o'clock,  wThen  the  Spanish  ceased  entirely,  and  Admiral  Sampson  hoisted 
the  "Cease  firing"  signal. 

After  the  fleet  retired  the  Spaniards  returned  to  their  guns  and  sent 
twelve  shots  after  the  American  ships,  but  no  damage  was  done.  In 
fact,  throughout  the  entire  engagement  none  of  our  ships  was  hit  and 
no  American  was  injured. 

One  purpose  of  Admiral  Sampson,  it  appears,  was  to  land  troops 
and  siege  guns  at  Aguadores,  after  reducing  the  defenses  of  the  place, 
and  then  make  a  close  assault  upon  Santiago,  which,  in  view  of  the 
present  condition  of  its  fortifications,  may  be  expected  to  yield  soon. 

A  landing  of  American  troops  was  effected  near  Baiquiri,  some  dis- 
tance east  of  Aguadores,  and  near  the  railroad  station  connecting  with 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  457 

Santiago  de  Cuba.  Later  an  engagement  took  place  between  the  Ameri- 
can force  and  a  column  of  Spanish  troops  which  had  been  sent  against 
the  landing  party.  The  Spaniards  were  driven  back. 

The  Marines  at  Guantanamo. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  R.  W.  Hunting-ton's  battalion  of  marines  landed 
from  the  transport  Panther  on  Friday,  June  10,  and  encamped  on  the 
hill  guarding  the  abandoned  cable  station  at  the  entrance  to  the  outer 
harbor  of  Guantanamo.  On  Saturday  afternoon  a  rush  attack  was  made 
on  them  by  a  detachment  of  Spanish  regulars  and  guerrillas,  and  for 
thirteen  hours  the  fighting  was  almost  continuous,  until  re-enforce- 
ments were  landed  from  the  Marblehead. 

The  engagement  began  with  desultory  firing  at  the  pickets,  a  thou- 
sand yards  inland  from  the  camp.  Captain  Spicer's  company  was  doing 
guard  duty  and  was  driven  in,  finally  rallying  on  the  camp  and  re- 
pulsing the  enemy  at  5  o'clock.  The  sky  was  blanketed  with  clouds, 
and  when  the  sun  set  a  gale  was  blowing  out  seaward.  Night  fell  thick 
and  impenetrable.  The  Spanish  squads  concealed  in  the  chaparral 
cover  had  the  advantage,  the  Americans  on  the  ridge  furnishing  fine 
targets  against  the  sky  and  the  white  tents. 

The  Spaniards  fought  from  cover  until  midnight,  discoverable  only 
at  flashes,. at  which  the  marines  fired  volleys.  Shortly  after  midnight 
came  the  main  attack.  The  Spaniards  made  a  gallant  charge  up  the 
southwest  slope,  but  were  met  by  repeated  volleys  from  the  main  body 
and  broke  before  they  were  one-third  of  the  way  up  the  hill;  but  they 
came  so  close  at  points  that  there  was  almost  a  hand-to-hand  struggle. 
The  officers  used  their  revolvers.  Three  Spaniards  got  through  the 
open  formation  to  the  edge  of  the  camp.  Colonel  Jose  Campina,  the 
Cuban  guide,  discharged  his  revolver,  and  they,  finding  themselves  with- 
out support,  beat  a  hasty  retreat  down  the  reverse  side  of  the  hill.  Dur- 
ing this  assault  Assistant  Surgeon  John  Blair  Gibbs  was  killed.  He 
was  shot  in  the  head  in  front  of  his  own  tent,  the  farthest  point  of 
attack.  He  fell  into  the  arms  of  Private  Sullivan  and  both  dropped. 
A  second  bullet  threw  the  dust  in  their  faces.  Surgeon  Gibbs  lived  ten 
minutes,  but  he  did  not  again  regain  consciousness.  Four  Americans 
were  killed  and  one  wounded  in  this  engagement. 

Sunday  brought  no  rest.  Every  little  while  the  p-a-t  of  a  Mauser 
would  be  heard,  and  a  spatter  of  dust  on  the  camp  hillside  would  show 
where  the  bullet  struck.  During  the  day  the  enemy  kept  well  back, 


458  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

scattering  a  few  riflemen  through  the  trees  to  keep  up  a  desultory  fire  on 
the  camp.  There  was  no  massing  of  forces,  evidently  for  fear  of  shells 
from  the  Marblehead,  which  lay  in  the  harbor  close  by.  But  when  night 
came  on  again  the  Spanish  forces  were  greatly  augmented  and  in  the 
dark  were  bolder  in  their  attacks. 

Lieutenant  Neville  was  sent  with  a  small  squad  of  men  to  dislodge 
the  advance  pickets  of  the  enemy,  and  his  men  followed  him  with  a 
will.  The  Spaniards,  who  had  been  potting  at  every  shadow  in  the  camp, 
fled  when  the  American  pickets  came  swinging  down  their  way.  As 
the  Americans  pressed  along  the  edge  of  the  steep  hill,  following  a  blind 
trail,  they  nearly  fell  into  an  ambush.  There  was  a  sudden  firing  from 
all  directions,  and  an  attack  came  from  all  sides. 

Sergeant-Ma j or  Henry  Good  wras  shot  through  the  right  breast  and 
soon  died.  The  Americans  were  forced  back  upon  the  edge  of  the 
precipice  and  an  effort  was  made  to  rush  them  over,  but  without  success. 
As  soon  as  they  recovered  from  the  first  shock  and  got  shelter  in  the 
breaks  of  the  cliff  their  fire  was  deadly.  Spaniard  after  Spaniard  went 
down  before  American  bullets  and  the  rush  was  checked  almost  as  sud- 
denly as  it  was  begun,  causing  the  enemy  to  fall  back.  The  Americans 
swarmed  after  the  fleeing  Spaniards,  shooting  and  cheering  as  they 
charged,  and  won  a  complete  victory.  The  Spanish  forces  left  fifteen 
dead  upon  the  field.  The  American  loss  was  two  killed  and  four 
wounded. 

The  night  attack  was  picturesque,  and  a  striking  spectacle — the 
crack  of  the  Mausers,  tongues  of  fire  from  every  bush  encircling  the 
camp,  the  twitter  of  the  long  steel  bullets  overhead,  while  the  machine 
guns  down  on  the  water  were  ripping  open  the  pickets,  and  the  crash  of 
the  field  guns  could  be  heard  as  they  were  driving  in  canister  where  the 
fire  of  the  Spaniards  was  the  thickest.  Then  there  was  the  screech  of 
the  Marblehead's  shells  as  she  took  a  hand  in  the  fight,  and  the  sharp, 
quick  flashing  of  the  rapid-firing  one-pounder  guns  from  the  ships' 
launches. 

On  Tuesday  the  brave  marines,  who  had  been  exposed  for  three  days 
and  nights  to  the  fire  of  a  foe  they  could  but  blindly  see,  weary  of  a 
kind  of  warfare  for  which  they  were  not  trained,  went  into  the  enemy's 
hiding  place  and  inflicted  disastrous  punishment.  The  primary  object 
of  the  expedition  was  to  destroy  the  tank  which  provided  the  enemy 
with  water.  There  are  three  ridges  over  the  hills  between  the  camp 
from  which  the  Americans  and  their  Cuban  allies  started  and  the  sea. 
In  the  valley  between  the  second  and  third  was  the  water  tank.  The 


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CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  461 

Spanish  headquarters  were  located  at  cross-roads  between  the  first  and 
second  ridges,  and  it  was  against  this  place  that  a  detachment  of  fifty 
marines  and  ten  Cubans  under  Lieutenants  Mahoney  and  Magill  was 
sent.  Their  instructions  were  to  capture  and  hold  this  position.  Cap- 
tain Elliot  with  ninety  marines  and  fifteen  Cubans  went  east  over  the 
last  range  of  hills,  and  Captain  Spicer  with  the  same  number  of  men 
went  to  the  west.  A  fourth  party  of  fifty  marines  and  a  Cuban  guide 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  Ingate  made  a  detour  and  secured  a. 
position  back  of  Lieutenant  Mahoney. 

The  first  fighting  was  done  by  the  men  under  Lieutenant  Magill  with 
the  second  platoon  of  Company  E.  These  parted  from  the  others,  going 
over  the  first  hill  to  the  second  one.  They  had  advanced  but  a  short 
distance  when  they  came  to  a  heliograph  station  guarded  by  a  company 
of  Spaniards.  Shooting  began  on  both  sides.,  the  Mausers  of  the  Spanish 
and  the  guns  of  the  Americans  snapping  in  unison.  Our  men  had 
toiled  up  the  hillside  in  the  boiling  sun,  but  they  settled  down  to  shoot- 
ing as  steadily  and  as  sturdily  as  veterans  could  have  done.  The 
skirmish  lasted  fifteen  minutes.  At  the  end  of  this  time  the  Spaniards 
could  no  longer  stand  the  methodical,  accurate  shooting  of  Magill's 
men,  and  they  ran  helter-skelter,  leaving  several  dead  upon  the  field. 
Lieutenant  Magill  took  possession  of  the  heliograph  outfit  without  the 
loss  or  injury  of  a  man. 

But  this  was  in  truth  only  a  skirmish,  and  the  real  fighting  was  at 
hand.  Captains  Spicer  and  Elliot  and  Lieutenant  Mahoney  led  their 
men  up  the  second  range  of  hills.  A  spattering  of  bullets  gave  note  that 
the  news  of  their  coming  was  abroad,  but  they  toiled  up  to  the  top  of 
the  hill.  Here  they  found  the  Spanish  camp  situated  on  a  little  ridge 
below  them.  There  was  one  large  house,  the  officers'  quarters,  and 
around  this  was  a  cluster  of  huts,  in  the  center  of  which  was  the  water 
tank  which  they  had  come  to  destroy.  Quickly  they  moved  into  line 
of  battle,  and  advanced  down  the  mountain,  the  enemy's  bullets  singing 
viciously,  but  going  wildly  about  them. 

Gradually  the  Americans  and  Cubans  descended  the  slope,  shooting 
as  they  went,  and  closing  in  upon  the  enemy  in  hiding  about  the  huts 
and  in  the  brush.  Then  the  order  came  to  make  ready  for  a  bayonet 
charge,  but  it  had  scarcely  been  given  when  the  Spaniards  broke  from 
cover  and  ran,  panic-stricken,  for  a  clump  of  brush  about  one  hundred 
yards  further  on.  Then  there  was  shooting  quick  and  fast.  There 
were  dozens  of  Spanish  soldiers  who  did  not  reach  the  thicket,  for  the 
American  fire  was  deadly,  and  man  after  man  was  seen  to  fall. 


462  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

The  fighting  blood  of  the  Americans  was  up.  Elliot's  command 
made  straight  for  the  thicket  to  which  the  Spanish  had  fled,  routed 
them  out,  and  drove  them  on  before.  Up  the  ridge  they  forced  them, 
shooting  and  receiving  an  answering  fire  all  the  way.  Pursuers  and 
pursued  moved  on  over  the  crest  of  the  hill,  and  there  the  Spaniards 
received  a  new  surprise.  Lieutenant  Magill  and  his  men  had  made  a 
detour  and  were  waiting  for  them.  As  the  enemy  came  within  rifle 
shot  over  the  hill  and  started  to  descend  Lieutenant  MagilPs  men 
emptied  their  rifles.  The  Spanish  turned  back  dismayed,  and  wavered 
for  a  time  between  the  two  fires  of  our  troops,  uncertain  which  way  to 
turn.  Then  they  assembled  at  the  top  of  the  hill.  This  was  a  fatal 
mistake,  for  the  Dolphin  had  taken  up  a  position  to  the  sea  side  of  the 
hills  in  the  morning,  and  the  moment  her  commander  espied  the 
Spaniards  on  the  summit  of  the  ridge  he  opened  fire  upon  them. 

The  slaughter  was  terrific,  but  it  is  but  just  to  record  the  fact  that 
the  enemy  made  a  brave  fight.  They  would  not  surrender,  and  made 
an  attempt  to  fight  their  way  along  the  summit  of  the  ridge,  but  they 
were  routed  and  ran  in  all  directions  to  escape. 

While  the  Americans  were  destroying  the  blockhouse,  tank  and 
windmill  the  Cubans  rounded  up  a  Spanish  lieutenant  and  seventeen 
privates.  These  were  spared  and  compelled  to  surrender.  The  lieu- 
tenant gave  the  Spanish  loss  in  the  battle  at  sixty-eight  killed  and 
nearly  200  wounded.  Not  an  American  was  killed,  and  no  one  seriously 
wounded. 

Transports  Filled  With  Troops. 

After  wreeks  of  waiting  and  preparation  the  first  army  of  invasion  to 
start  from  the  eastern  shores  of  the  United  States  departed  under  the 
command. of  General  Shafter  on  the  morning  of  June  14  at  9  o'clock. 
The  fleet  of  transports  consisted  of  thirty-five  vessels,  four  tenders  and 
fourteen  convoys.  The  actual  embarkation  of  the  troops  began  on  Mon- 
day, June  6.  The  work  proceeded  diligently  until  late  on  Wednesday 
afternoon,  when,  after  the  departure  of  several  vessels,  an  important 
order  came,  calling  a  halt  in  the  proceedings.  The  alleged  cause  of  the 
delay  was  the  report  that  the  Hornet  while  out  scouting  had  sighted 
several  Spanish  war  vessels. 

.  Like  a  wet  blanket  came  the  order  to  halt.  Cheerfulness  was  dis- 
placed by  keen  disappointment.  Two  questions  were  on  every  tongue — 
"Has  Spain  surrendered?"  "Has  our  fleet  met  with  a  reverse?"  The 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  463 

former  met  with  the  readiest  belief,  many  believing  the  words  in  the 
order  "indefinitely  postponed"  meant  peace. 

General  Miles  and  his  staff  went  to  Port  Tampa  Sunday  morning  at 
6:30  to  deliver  parting  instructions.  During  a  heavy  rain  squall  on 
Saturday  night  at  8  o'clock  wrhile  the  transports  were  straining  at  their 
cables  the  little  tug  Captain  Sam  steamed  from  ship  to  ship  megaphon- 
ing the  order:  "Stand  ready  to  sail  at  daylight."  Above  the  roar  of  the 
storm  wild  cheers  were  heard  and  a  bright  flash  of  lightning  revealed  the 
soldiers  standing  in  the  rain  waving  their  wret  hats  and  hurrahing. 
When  the  morning  broke,  piers  were  lined  with  transports,  the  docks 
were  crowded  with  box  cars,  flat  cars,  stock  cars,  baggage  and  express 
cars.  Most  of  these  were  crowded  with  soldiers  who  were  cheered  until 
their  ears  ached,  and  who  cheered  in  return  until  hoarse. 

Bright-colored  dresses  and  fragile  parasols  in  the  crowds  of  blue- 
coats  indicated  the  presence  of  the  fair  sex.  Horses  and  mules  were 
kicking  up  clouds  of  dust  and  the  sun  poured  down  its  hot  rays  on  the 
sweltering  mass  of  humanity.  Thus  Sunday  passed,  the  transports  at 
the  docks  and  those  in  midstream  receiving  their  quotas  of  men  and  the 
necessaries  to  sustain  them. 

Stirring  Scenes  Continued. 

General  Miles  again  went  to  the  port  on  Monday  on  the  early  train. 
The  stirring  scenes  continued;  the  mad  rush  had  not  abated.  General 
Miles  from  the  observation  end  of  his  car  watched  the  crowd  as  it  passed 
near  him.  The  transports  swinging  at  their  moorings  were  plainly  in 
view,  as  were  also  many  of  those  at  the  docks.  The  embarkation  of  ani- 
mals was  progressing  satisfactorily. 

Shortly  after  9  o'clock  the  funnels  of  the  transports  began  to  pour 
forth  volumes  of  black  smoke.  The  Olivette,  Margaret,  Mateo  and 
Laura  were  visiting  the  fleet,  giving  water  to  one,  troops  to  another, 
animals  and  equipments  to  another.  Along  the  pier  could  be  heard 
the  voices  of  the  transport  commanders  as  they  gave  their  orders  to  cut 
loose.  The  gangplanks  were  pulled  in,  the  hatchways  closed,  lines  cast 
off  and  the  engines  were  put  in  motion. 

The  vessels  backed  into  the  bay  and  anchored  to  await  the  order  to 
sail.  The  Matteawan  hove  her  cable  short  at  10  o'clock.  All  eyes 
were  riveted  on  the  Seguranca,  the  flagship,  and  when  the  final  signal 
came  a  mighty  cheer  arose.  From  the  lower  row  of  portholes  to  her 
tops  hats  waved  in  wild  delight.  The  anchor  was  quickly  weighed  ami 


464  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

the  great  vessel  pointed  her  prow  down  the  bay.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
City  of  Washington,  Kio  Grande,  Cherokee,  Iroquois  and  Whitney  fol- 
lowed. As  these  boats  picked  their  way  through  the  anchored  fleet  men 
shouted  and  bands  played.  Every  vessel  elicited  a  wild  display  of  en- 
thusiasm. These  were  the  only  vessels  to  depart  in  the  forenoon,  some 
of  them  going  over  to  St.  Petersburg  to  procure  water. 

General  Miles,  evidently  becoming  impatient,  embarked  on  the  Tar- 
pon at  12 :30  and  went  out  among  the  fleet,  going  as  far  down  the  bay  as 
St.  Petersburg  and  not  returning  until  4  o'clock.  In  the  meantime 
other  transports  were  steaming  down  the  bay. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Morgan  cut  a  path  of  white  foam  down  the  chan- 
nel, and  her  lead  was  followed  by  the  Vigilance,  San  Marcos,  Clinton, 
Yucatan,  Stillwater,  Berkshire,  Olivette,  Santiago,  Arkansas,  Seneca, 
Saratoga,  Miami,  Leona,  Breakwater  and  Comal.  By  the  time  these 
vessels  had  moved  awray  darkness  had  enveloped  the  remaining  ships, 
from  whose  sides  glimmered  long  rows  of  lights.  The  Knickerbocker, 
numbered  thirteen,  and  the  Orizaba  had  much  to  take  on  during  the 
night.  The  last  to  load  were  eager  to  complete  the  task  for  fear  they 
might  be  left.  By  daylight  all  the  ships  except  the  Seguranca  had 
moved  down  the  bay.  At  9  o'clock  the  Seguranca,  amid  cheers  and  the 
blowing  of  whistles,  followed. 

General  Shafter  and  his  staff  were  the  last  to  leave.  The  last  orders 
were  handed  to  Lieutenant  Miley,  an  aid  to  General  Shafter,  and  im- 
mediately the  flagship  started. 


Sampson  Again  Shells  Santiago. 

Rear-Admiral  Sampson's  fleet  bombarded  the  batteries  at  Santiago 
de  Cuba  for  the  third  time  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  June  16. 

For  hours  the  ships  pounded  the  batteries  at  the  right  and  left  of 
the  entrance,  only  sparing  El  Morro,  where  Lieutenant  Hobson  and  his 
companions  of  the  Merrimac  were  in  prison. 

As  a  preliminary  to  the  hammering  given  the  batteries  the  dynamite 
cruiser  Vesuvius  at  midnight  was  given  another  chance.  Three  250- 
pound  charges  of  gun  cotton  were  sent  over  the  fortifications  at  the  en- 
trance. The  design  was  to  drop  them  in  the  bay  around  the  angle  back 
of  the  eminence  on  which  El  Morro  is  situated,  where  it  was  known  that 
the  Spanish  torpedo-boat  destroyers  were  lying.  Two  charges  went 
true,  as  no  reports  were  Ix-nrd — a  peculiarity  of  the  explosion  of  gun 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  465 

cotton  in  water.  The  third  charge  exploded  with  terrific  violence  on 
Cayo  Smith. 

From  where  the  fleet  lay  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  looked,  in  the 
black  night,  like  a  door  opening  into  the  livid  fire  of  a  Titanic  furnace. 
A  crater  big  enough  to  hold  a  church  was  blown  out  of  the  side  of  the 
Cayo  Smith  and  was  clearly  seen  from  the  ships. 

Coffee  was  served  to  the  men  at  3:30  in  the  morning,  and  with  the 
first  blush  of  dawn  the  men  were  called  quietly  to  quarters.  The  ship» 
steamed  in  five-knot  speed  to  a  3,000-yard  range,  when  they  closed  up, 
broadside  on,  until  a  distance  of  three  cable-lengths  separated  them. 
They  were  strung  out  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  the  heavy  fighting  ships 
in  the  center,  the  flagship  on  the  right  flank  and  the  Massachusetts  on 
the  left  flank.  The  line  remained  stationary  throughout  the  bombard- 
ment. The  Vixen  and  Scorpion  took  up  positions  on  opposite  flanks, 
close  in  shore,  for  the  purpose  of  enfilading  any  infantry  that  might  fire 
upon  the  ships. 

When  the  ships  got  into  position  it  was  still  too  dark  for  any  firing. 
The  Admiral  signaled  the  ships  not  to  fire  until  the  muzzles  of  the  ene- 
my's guns  in  the  embrasures  could  be  seen  by  the  gun  captains. 

Fifteen  minutes  later,  at  5:25  a.  m.,  the  New  York  opened  with  a 
broadside  from  her  main  battery  at  the  wrorks  on  the  east  of  the  entrance 
to  the  harbor.  All  the  ships  followed  in  red  streaks  of  flame.  The  fleet, 
enveloped  in  smoke,  pelted  the  hills  and  kicked  up  dirt  and  masonry. 

Though  the  gun  captains  had  been  cautioned  not  to  waste  ammuni- 
tion, but  to  fire  with  deliberation,  the  fire  was  so  rapid  that  there  was 
an  almost  continuous  report.  The  measured  crash  of  the  big  thirteen- 
inch  guns  of  the  battleships  sounded  above  the  rattle  of  the  guns  of  the 
secondary  batteries  like  thunder-claps  above  the  din  of  a  hurricane.  A 
strong  land  breeze  off  the  shore  carried  the  smoke  of  the  ships  seaward, 
while  it  let  down  a  thick  curtain  in  front  of  the  Spanish  gunners. 

The  dons  responded  spiritedly  at  first,  but  their  frenzied,  half-crazed 
fire  could  not  match  the  cool  nerve,  trained  eyes  and  skilled  gunnery  of 
the  American  sailors.  Our  fire  was  much  more  effective  than  in  preced- 
ing bombardments.  The  Admiral's  ordnance  expert  had  given  explicit 
directions  to  reduce  the  powder  charges  and  to  elevate  the  guns,  so  as  to 
shorten  the  trajectory  and  thus  to  secure  a  phingmg  fire. 

The  effect  of  the  reduced  charges  was  marvelous.  In  fifteen  minutes 
one  western  battery  was  completely  wrecked.  The  Massachusetts  tore  a 
gaping  hole  in  the  emplacement  with  a  1,000-pound  projectile,  and  the 


466  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

Texas  dropped  a  shell  into  the  powder  magazine.  The  explosion 
wrought  terrible  havoc. 

The  frame  was  lifted,  the  sides  were  blown  out  and  a  shower  of  de- 
bris flew  in  every  direction.  One  timber,  carried  out  of  the  side  of  the 
battery,  went  tumbling  down  the  hill. 

The  batteries  on  the  east  of  Morro  were  harder  to  get  at,  but  the  New 
Orleans  crossed  the  bows  of  the  New  York  to  within  500  yards  of  shore 
and  played  a  tattoo  with  her  long  eight-inch  rifles,  hitting  them  re- 
peatedly, striking  a  gun  squarely  muzzle-on,  lifting  it  off  its  trunnions 
and  sending  it  sweeping  somersaults  high  in  the  air. 

When  the  order  came,  at  6:30,  to  cease  firing,  every  gun  of  the  enemy 
had  been  silenced  for  ten  minutes,  but  as  the  ships  drew  off  some  of  the 
Spanish  courage  returned  and  a  half-dozen  shots  were  fired  spitefully 
at  the  Massachusetts  and  Oregon,  falling  in  their  wakes. 


Went  Ashore  With  a  Bush. 

Sea  and  weather  were  propitious  when,  on  June  22,  the  great  army 
of  invasion  under  General  Shafter  left  their  transports  in  Baiquiri 
harbor,  and  landed  on  Cuban  soil.  The  navy  and  the  army  co-operated 
splendidly  and  as  the  big  warships  closed  in  on  the  shore  to  pave  the 
way  for  the  approach  of  the  transports  and  then  went  back  again,  three 
cheers  for  the  navy  went  up  from  many  thousand  throats  on  the  troop- 
ships and  three  cheers  for  the  army  rose  from  ship  after  ship. 

The  Cuban  insurgents,  too,  bore  their  share  in  the  enterprise  honor- 
ably and  well.  Five  thousand  of  them  in  mountain  fastness  and  dark 
thickets  of  ravines,  lay  all  the  previous  night  on  their  guns  watching 
every  road  and  mountain  path  leading  from  Santiago  to  Guantanamo. 
A  thousand  of  them  were  within  sight  of  Baiquiri,  making  the  approach 
of  the  Spaniards  under  cover  of  darkness  an  impossibility. 

There  is  a  steep,  rocky  hill,  known  as  Punta  Baiquiri,  rising  almost 
perpendicularly  at  the  place  indicated.  It  is  a  veritable  Gibraltar  in 
possibilities  of  defense.  From  the  staff  at  its  summit  the  Spanish  flag 
was  defiantly  floating  at  sunset;  but  in  the  morning  it  was  gone,  and 
with  it  the  small  Spanish  guard  which  had  maintained  the  signal 
station.  Between  nightfall  and  dawn  the  Spaniards  had  taken  the 
alarm  and  fled  from  the  place,  firing  the  town  as  they  left. 

The  flames  were  watched  with  interest  from  the  ships.  Two  sharp 
explosions  were  heard.  At  first  they  were  thought  to  be  the  report  of 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  467 

guns  from  Spanish  masked  batteries,  but  they  proved  to  be  explosions 
of  ammunition  in  a  burning  building. 

Three  hours'  waiting  made  the  men  on  the  transports  impatient  to 
get  ashore  and  in  action,  and  every  move  of  the  warships  was  closely 
watched  by  the  soldiers. 

A  little  before  9  o'clock  the  bombardment  of  the  batteries  of  Juragua 
was  begun.  This  was  evidently  a  feint  to  cover  the  real  point  of  attack, 
Juragua  being  about  half-way  between  Baiquiri  and  Santiago.  The 
bombardment  lasted  about  twenty  minutes.  The  scene  then  quickly 
shifted  back  again  to  the  great  semi-circle  of  transports  before  Baiquiri. 

At  9:40  o'clock  the  New  Orleans  opened  fire  with  a  gun  that  sent  a 
shell  rumbling  and  crashing  against  the  hillside.  The  Detroit,  Wasp, 
Machias  and  Suwanee  followed  suit.  In  five  minutes  the  sea  was  alive 
with  flotillas  of  small  boats,  headed  by  launches,  speeding  for  the  Bai- 
quiri dock.  Some  of  the  boats  were  manned  by  crews  of  sailors,  while 
others  were  rowed  by  the  soldiers  themselves.  Each  boat  cen- 
tained  sixteen  men,  every  one  in  fighting  trim  and  carrying  three  days' 
rations,  a  shelter  tent,  a  gun  and  200  cartridges.  All  were  ready  to 
take  the  field  on  touching  the  shore  should  they  be  called  upon. 

The  firing  of  the  warships  proved  to  be  a  needless  precaution,  as 
their  shots  were  not  returned  and  no  Spaniards  were  visible. 

General  Shafter,  on  board  the  Seguranca,  closely  watched  the  land- 
ing of  the  troops.  Brigadier-General  Lawton,  who  had  been  detailed 
to  command  the  landing  party,  led  the  way  in  a  launch,  accompanied 
by  his  staff,  and  directed  the  formation  of  the  line  of  operation. 

A  detachment  of  eighty  regulars  was  the  first  to  land,  followed  by 
General  Shatter's  old  regiment,  tHe  First  infantry.  Then  came  the 
Twenty-fifth,  Twenty-second,  Tenth,  Seventh  and  Twelfth  infantry  in 
the  order  named,  and  the  Second  Massachusetts  and  a  detachment  of  the 
Ninth  cavalry. 

The  boats  rushed  forward  simultaneously  from  every  quarter,  in 
good-natured  rivalry  to  be  first,  and  their  occupants  scrambled  ever 
one  another  to  leap  ashore.  As  the  boats  tossed  about  in  the  surf  get- 
ting ashore  was  no  easy  matter,  and  the  soldiers  had  to  throw  their 
rifles  on  the  dock  before  they  could  climb  up.  Some  hard  tumbles  re- 
sulted, but  nobody  was  hurt.  At  the  end  of  the  pier  the  companies 
and  regiments  quickly  lined  up  and  marched  away. 

General  Lawton  threw  a  strong  detachment  for  the  night  about  six 
miles  west,  on  the  road  to  Santiago,  and  another  detachment  was  posted 
to  the  north  of  the  town  among  the  hills.  The  rest  of  the  troops  were 


468  CONTINUED   SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

quartered  in  the  town,  some  of  them  being  housed  in  the  buildings  of 
the  iron  company. 

Some  of  the  troops  were  quartered  in  deserted  houses,  while  others 
preferred  the  shelter  of  their  tents  in  the  adjoining  fields. 

The  morning's  fire,  it  was  seen,  had  destroyed  the  roundhouse,  the 
repair  shops  and  several  small  dwellings.  The  town  was  deserted  when 
the  troops  landed,  but  women  and  children  soon  appeared  from  the 
surrounding  thickets  and  returned  to  their  homes. 

Part  of  the  sun-bronzed  troops  quickly  searched  tjie  buildings  and 
beat  up  the  thickets  in  search  of  lurking  foes  and  then  at  nightfall 
marched  into  the  unknown  country  beyond,  with  long,  swinging  strides 
and  the  alert  bearing  of  the  old  frontier  army  men,  ready  to  fight  the 
Spaniards  Sioux-fashion  or  in  the  open,  wherever  they  could  be  found. 

The  landing  was  accomplished  without  loss  of  life,  the  only  accident 
being  the  wounding  of  an  insurgent  on  the  hills  by  a  shell  from  one  of 
the  warships. 

• 
Victory  Is  Dearly  Bought. 

On  Friday  morning,  June  24,  four  troops  of  the  First  cavalry,  four 
troops  of  the  Tenth  cavalry  and  eight  troops  of  Roosevelt's  Rough  Rid- 
ers— less  than  1,000  men  in  all — dismounted  and  attacked  2,000  Spanish 
soldiers  in  the  thickets  within  five  miles  of  Santiago  de  Cuba.  A  bloody 
conflict  ensued,  and  the  Americans  lost  sixteen  men,  including  Captain 
Allyn  M.  Capron  and  Hamilton  Fish,  Jr.,  of  the  Rough  Riders. 

Practically  two  battles  wTere  fought  at  the  same  time,  one  by  the 
Rough  Riders  under  the  immediate  command  of  Colonel  Wood,  on  the 
top  of  the  plateau,  and  the  other  on  the  hillsides,  several  miles  away, 
by  the  regulars,  with  whom  was  General  Young. 

The  expedition  started  from  Juragua — marked  on  some  Cuban  maps 
as  Altares — a  small  town  on  the  coast  nine  miles  east  of  Morro  Castle, 
which  was  the  first  place  occupied  by  the  troops  after  their  landing  at 
Baiquiri. 

Information  was  brought  to  the  American  army  headquarters  by 
Cubans  that  forces  of  Spanish  soldiers  had  assembled  at  the  place 
where  the  battle  occurred  to  block  the  march  on  Santiago. 

General  Young  went  there  to  dislodge  them,  the  understanding  be- 
ing that  the  Cubans  under  General  Castillo  would  co-operate  with  him, 
but  the  latter  failed  to  appear  until  the  fight  was  nearly  finished.  Then 
they  asked  permission  to  chase  the  fleeing  Spaniards,  but  as  the  vie- 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  469 

tory  was  already  won  General  Young  refused  to  allow  them  to  take 
part  in  the  fight.  . 

General  Young's  plans  contemplated  the  movement  of  half  of  his 
command  along  the  trail  at  the  base  of  the  range  of  hills  leading  back 
from  the  coast,  so  that  he  could  attack  the  Spaniards  on  the  flank  whtte 
the  Rough  Riders  went  off  to  follow  the  trail  leading  over  the  hill  to 
attack  them  in  front.  This  plan  was  carried  out  completely.  The 
troops  left  Juragua  at  daybreak.  The  route  of  General  Young  and 
the  regulars  was  comparatively  level  and  easy  of  travel.  Three  Hotch- 
kiss  guns  were  taken  with  this  command. 

The  first  part  of  the  journey  of  the  Rough  Riders  was  over  steep  hills 
several  hundred  feet  high.  The  men  carried  200  rounds  of  ammunition 
and  heavy  camp  equipment.  Although  this  was  done  easily  in  the 
early  morning,  the  weather  became  intensely  hot,  and  the  sun  beat 
down  upon  the  cowboys  and  Eastern  athletes  as  they  toiled  up  the 
grade  with  their  heavy  packs,  and  frequent  rests  were  necessary.  The 
trail  was  so  narrow  that  for  the  greater  part  of  the  way  the  men  had  to 
proceed  single  file.  Prickly  cactus  bushes  lined  both  sides  of  the  trail, 
and  the  underbrush  was  so  thick  that  it  was  impossible  to  see  ten  feet 
on  either  side.  All  the  conditions  were  favorable  for  a  murderous 
ambuscade,  but  the  troopers  kept  a  close  watch,  and  made  as  little 
noise  as  possible. 

The  Rough  Riders  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  occasion  with  the 
greatest  enthusiasm.  It  was  their  first  opportunity  for  a  fight,  and 
every  man  was  eager  for  it.  The  weather  grew  swelteringly  hot,  and 
one  by  one  the  men  threw  away  blankets  and  tent  rolls,  and  emptied 
their  canteens. 

The  first  intimation  had  by  Colonel  Wood's  command  that  there 
were  Spaniards  in  the  vicinity  was  when  they  reached  a  point  three  or 
four  miles  back  from  the  coast,  when  the  low  cuckoo  calls  of  the  Spanish 
soldiers  were  heard  in  the  bush. 

It  was  difficult  to  locate  the  exact  point  from  which  these  sounds 
came,  and  the  men  were  ordered  to  speak  in  low  tones. 

Charge  the  Enemy 


the  Americans  rushed  into  the  dense  thicket  regardless  of  danger.  The 
Spaniards  fell  back,  but  fired  as  they  ran,  and  the  battle  lasted  about  an 
hour. 


470  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOB  THE    AMERICANS. 

The  Spaniards  left  many  dead  on  the  field,  their  loss  in  killed  being 
not  less  than  fifty. 

The  Spanish  had  carefully  planned  an  ambush  and  intended  to 
hold  the  Americans  in  check.  They  became  panic-stricken  at  the  bold- 
ness of  the  rush  made  by  the  invading  force.  The  position  gained  was 
of  great  advantage. 

Where  the  battle  took  place  a  path  opens  into  a  space  covered  with 
high  grass  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  trail  and  the  thickets.  A 
barbed  wTire  fence  runs  along  the  left  side.  The  dead  body  of  a  Cuban 
was  found  on  the  side  of  the  road,  and  at  the  same  time  Captain  Cap- 
ron's  troops  covered  the  outposts  the  heads  of  several  Spaniards  were 
seen  in  the  bushes  for  a  moment. 

It  was  not  until  then  that  the  men  were  permitted  to  load  their 
carbines.  When  the  order  to  load  was  given  they  acted  on  it  with  a 
will  and  displayed  the  greatest  eagerness  to  make  an  attack.  At  this 
time  the  sound  of  firing  was  heard  a  mile  or  two  to  the  right,  apparently 
coming  from  the  hills  beyond  the  thicket.  It  was  the  regulars  replying 
to  the  Spaniards  who  had  opened  on  them  from  the  thicket.  In  addition 
to  rapid  rifle  fire  the  boom  of  Hotchkiss  guns  could  be  heard. 

Hardly  two  minutes  elapsed  before  Mauser  rifles  commenced  to 
crack  in  the  thicket  and  a  hundred  bullets  whistled  over  the  heads  of 
the  Kough  Eiders,  cutting  leaves  from  the  trees  and  sending  chips  flying 
from  the  fence  posts  by  the  side  of  the  men.  The  Spaniards  had  opened 
and  they  poured  in  a  heavy  fire,  which  soon  had  a  most  disastrous  effect. 
The  troops  stood  their  ground  with  the  bullets  singing  all  around  them. 
Private  Colby  caught  sight  of  the  Spaniards  and  fired  the  opening  shot 
at  them  before  the  order  to  charge  was  given. 

Sergeant  Hamilton  Fish,  Jr.,  wTas  the  first  man  to  fall.  He  was  shot 
through  the  heart  and  died  instantly.  The  Spaniards  were  not  more 
than  200  yards  off,  but  only  occasional  glimpses  of  them  could  be  seen. 
The  men  continued  to  pour  volley  after  volley  into  the  brush  in  the 
direction  of  the  sound  of  the  Spanish  shots,  but  the  latter  became  more 
frequent  and  seemed  to  be  getting  nearer. 

Colonel  Wood  walked  along  his  lines,  displaying  the  utmost  cool- 
ness. He  ordered  troops  to  deploy  into  the  thicket,  and  sent  another 
detachment  into  the  open  space  on  the  left  of  the  trail.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Koosevelt  led  the  former  detachment  and  tore  through  the 
brush,  urging  his  men  on.  The  shots  came  thicker  and  faster  every 
moment,  and  the  air  seemed  filled  with  the  singing  and  shrieking  sound 
of  the  Mauser  bullets,  while  the  short  pop  of  the  Spanish  rifles  could  be 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  471 

distinguished  easily  from  the  heavier  reports  of  the  American  weapons. 
Sometimes  the  fire  would  come  in  volleys  and  again  shots  would  follow 
each  other  in  rapid  succession  for  several  minutes. 

Captain  Capron  stood  behind  his  men,  revolver  in  hand,  using  it 
whenever  a  Spaniard  exposed  himself.  His  aim  was  sure  and  two  of 
the  enemy  were  seen  to  fall  under  his  fire.  Just  as  he  was  preparing  to 
take  another  shot  and  shouting  orders  to  his  men  at  the  same  time,  his 
revolver  dropped  from  his  grasp  and  he  fell  to  the  ground  with  a  ball 
through  his  body.  His  troop  was  badly  disconcerted  for  a  moment, 
but  with  all  the  strength  he  could  muster  he  cried,  "Don't  mind  me, 
boys,  go  on  and  fight."  He  was  carried  from  the  field  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible and  lived  only  a  few  hours.  Lieutenant  Thomas  of  the  same  troop 
received  a  wound  through  the  leg  soon  afterward  and  became  delirious 
from  pain. 

Roosevelt's  Narrow  Escape. 

The  troops  that  were  in  the  thicket  wTere  not  long  in  getting  into  the 
midst  of  the  fight.  The  Spaniards  located  them  and  pressed  them  hard, 
but  they  sent  a  deadly  fire  in  return,  even  though  most  of  the  time  they 
could  not  see  the  enemy.  After  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  of  hot  work  the 
firing  fell  off  some,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Eoosevelt  ordered  his  men 
back  from  the  thicket  into  the  trail,  narrowly  escaping  a  bullet  himself, 
which  struck  a  tree  alongside  his  head. 

It  was  evident  the  Spaniards  were  falling  back  and  changing  their 
positions,  but  the  fire  continued  at  intervals.  Then  the  troops  tore  to 
the  front  and  into  more  open  country  than  where  the  enemy's  fire  was 
coming  from.  About  this  time  small  squads  commenced  to  carry  the 
wounded  from  the  thicket  and  lay  them  in  a  more  protected  spot  on  the 
trail  until  they  could  be  removed  to  the  field  hospital. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  enemy  gave  way  and  ran  down  the  steep 
hill  and  up  another  hill  to  the  blockhouse,  with  the  evident  intent  of 
making  a  final  stand  there. 

Colonel  Wood  was  at  the  front  directing  the  movement  and  it  was 
here  that  Major  Brodie  was  shot.  Colonel  Wood  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Roosevelt  both  led  the  troops  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  Spaniards 
and  a  hail  of  bullets  was  poured  into  the  blockhouse.  By  the  time  the 
American  advance  got  within  600  yards  of  the  blockhouse  the  Spaniards 
abandoned  it  and  scattered  among  the  brush  up  another  hill  in  the  di- 
rection of  Santiago,  and  the  battle  was  at  an  end. 


472  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

During  all  this  time  just  as  hot  a  fire  had  been  progressing  at  Gen- 
eral Young's  station.  The  battle  began  in  much  the  same  manner  as 
the'  other  one,  and  when  the  machine  guns  opened  fire  the  Spaniards 
sent -volleys  at  the  gunners  from  the  brush  on  the  opposite  hillside. 
Two  troops  of  cavalry  charged  up  the  hill  and  other  troops  sent  a 
storm  of  bullets  at  every  point  from  which  the  Spanish  shots  came. 
The  enemy  was  gradually  forced  back,  though  firing  all  the  time  until 
they,  as  well  as  those  confronting  the  Eough  Riders,  ran  for  the  block- 
house only  to  be  dislodged  by  Colonel  Wood's  men. 

General  Young  stated  afterwards  that  the  battle  was  one  of  the 
sharpest  he  had  ever  experienced.  It  was  only  the  quick  and  constant 
fire  of  the  troopers,  whether  they  could  see  the  enemy  or  not,  that 
caused  the  Spaniards  to  retreat  so  soon.  General  Young  spoke  in  the 
highest  terms  of  the  conduct  of  the  men  in  his  command,  and  both 
Colonel  Wood  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Roosevelt  were  extremely  grati- 
fied with  the  work  done  by  the  Rough  Riders  on  the  first  occasion  of  their 
being  under  fire. 

When  it  became  evident  that  the  Spaniards  were  giving  up  the 
fight,  searching  parties  went  through  the  thicket  and  tall  grass,  picking 
up  the  dead  and  wounded.  The  latter  were  carried  to  a  field  hospital 
half  a  mile  to  the  rear  and  all  possible  attention  was  given  them,  while 
preparation  was  made  to  remove  them  to  Juragua. 

Army  in  a  Baptism  of  Fire. 

After  a  period  of  comparative  idleness  the  campaign  was  opened  in 
earnest  Friday,  July  1,  when  General  Shafter's  army  began  an  attack  at 
dawn  upon  the  Spanish  fortifications.  Shafter  had  come  from  Cuero  to 
El  Caney  with  his  army,  making  headquarters  at  Siboney.  From  these 
points  the  Spanish  troops  under  General  Linares  had  retreated  a  short 
distance  and  taken  San  Juan  hill,  from  which  they  had  accurate  range 
of  the  American  batteries.  Shafter's  forces  were  without  sufficient 
guns,  while  the  Spaniards  had  more  and  of  a  heavier  caliber  than  was 
anticipated. 

The  American  army  slept  Thursday  night  within  sight  of  its  bat- 
tlefield of  the  morrow.  At  daylight  Friday  morning  the  forward  move- 
ment began.  Hard  fighting  was  expected  at  El  Caney,  guarding  the 
northeastern  approach  to  Santiago,  and  against  this  position  were 
massed  the  commands  of  Generals  Lawton  and  Wheeler,  supported  by 
Capron's  battery  of  light  artillery.  Both  General  Wheeler  and  General 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  473 

Young  were  sick,  so  General  Sumner  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  former  and  Colonel  Wood  of  the  Rough  Riders  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  General  Young's  cavalry  brigade.  Colonel  Carroll  of  the  Sixth 
cavalry  took  General  Sumner's  place  at  the  head  of  the  First  brigade 
of  cavalry.  Under  General  Lawton  were  three  brigades — Colonel  Van 
Horn's,  consisting  of  the  Eighth  and  Twenty-second  infantry  and  the 
Second  Massachusetts  volunteers;  Colonel  Miles',  consisting  of  the  First, 
Fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  infantry,  and  General  Chaffee's,  consisting 
of  the  Seventh,  Twelfth  and  Seventeenth  infantry.  On  the  eve  of 
battle  Colonel  Van  Horn  was  replaced  by  General  Ludlow.  Under 
General  Sumner  were  four  troops  of  the  Second  cavalry  and  eight 
troops  of  the  First  volunteer  cavalry;  under  Colonel  Wood  the  Rough 
Riders,  the  Tenth  cavalry  arid  four  troops  of  the  First  cavalry.  These 
two  cavalry  commands  occupied  the  left  of  the  San  Juan  plain  for  the 
attack  on  the  blockhouse  at  that  point.  They  were  supported  by  Colonel 
Carroll's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  Third,  Sixth  and  Ninth  cavalry,  and 
by  Captain  Grimes'  battery  of  the  Second  artillery. 

The  southeastern  approaches  to  the  city  were  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Kent's  division.  His  First  brigade  was  commanded  by  General 
Hawkins  and  consisted  of  the  Sixth  and  Sixteenth  regular  infantry  and 
the  Seventy-first  New  York  volunteers.  Colonel  Pearson  commanded 
the  Second  brigade,  composed  of  the  Second,  Tenth  and  Twenty-first 
regular  infantry,  while  the  Third  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Worth,  consisted  of  the  Ninth,  Thirteenth  and  Twenty-fourth  regular 
infantry.  Aguadores  was  their  objective  point.  Grimes'  battery  of 
artillery  and  the  Rough  Riders  were  to  support  General  Kent  in  his 
attack  on  Aguadores,  while.  General  Duffield,  with  the  Thirty-third  and 
a  battalion  of  the  Thirty-fourth  Michigan  volunteers,  was  in  advance 
of  Kent's  left. 

Captain  Capron  Opens  the  Fight. 

The  first  shot  of  the  engagement  came  at  6:45  o'clock  Friday  morn- 
ing. It  was  fired  by  Captain  Allyn  M.  Caprou's  Battery  E  of  the  First; 
artillery.  The  privilege  of  opening  the  engagement  was  granted  this 
officer  because  of  the  killing  of  his  son  among  the  Rough  Riders  who  fell 
near  Sevilla.  The  Spanish  answered  the  challenge  from  their  forts  and 
trenches  about  Caney,  and  immediately  the  battle  was  on.  The  Span- 
iards for  a  time  fought  desperately  to  prevent  the  town  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  our  forces,  but  before  the  fighting  had  been  long  under 


474  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

way  the  Americans  and  Cubans  under  Garcia  gained  advanced  ground. 
Foot  by  foot  the  enemy  was  driven  back  into  the  village.  The  enthu- 
siasm of  the  American  forces  was  intense  and  their  spirit  quickly  spread 
to  the  Cuban  troops. 

At  one  time  during  this  fight  one  of  the  big  military  balloons  used 
by  the  signal  corps  for  reconnoissance  hung  over  San  Juan,  not  over 
500  yards  from  the  enemy,  and  for  five  minutes  the  Spaniards  below 
tried  to  puncture  it,  but  they  were  unable  to  get  the  range.  This  bal- 
loon proved  of  inestimable  service  in  the  engagement.  It  floated  just 
over  the  tree  tops,  and  was  easily  guided  along  three  miles  of  the  road 
toward  the  lines  of  the  enemy.  Whenever  it  halted  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  a  photograph  of  the  fortifications  below,  the  Spaniards  seized  the 
occasion  for  taking  pot  shots. 

In  the  fighting  at  San  Juan  a  Spanish  shell  two  and  a  half  inches 
in  diameter  burst  in  the  midst  of  Captain  Puritier's  Battery  K  of  the 
First  artillery,  wounding  several.  Among  those  injured  was  Private 
Samuel  Barr.  Roosevelt's  Rough  Riders  were  also  in  this  fight  and  bore 
themselves  with  as  mtich  credit  as  in  the  battle  of  last  Friday  in  the 
bush.  Several  of  the  Rough  Riders  were  wounded. 

The  Fight  Before  Caney. 

Meanwhile  the  battle  was  raging  fiercely  at  Caney  and  Aguadores. 
In  General  Lawton's  division  the  Second  Massachusetts  up  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  day  sustained  the  heaviest  loss,  although  other  regiments 
were  more  actively  engaged.  During  the  afternoon  the  fight  for  the 
possession  of  Caney  was  most  obstinate,  and  the  ultimate  victory  reflects 
great  credit  upon  the  American  troops.  It  was  a  glory,  too,  for  Spain, 
though  she  never  had  a  chance  to  win  at  any  time  during  the  day.  Her 
men  fought  in  intrenchments,  covered  ways  and  blockhouses,  while  the 
American  forces  were  in  the  open  from  first  to  last.  The  Spanish  sol- 
diers stuck  to  their  work  like  men,  and  this,  the  first  land  fight  of  the 
war,  may  well  cause  Spain  to  feel  proud  of  her  men.  The  American 
soldiers  attacked  the  intrenchments  through  open  ground,  and,  from 
the  firing  of  the  first  shot  until  they  were  on  the  hills  above  Caney, 
they  fought  their  way  forward  and  the  Spanish  were  driven  backward. 
General  Chaffee's  brigade  held  the  right  of  the  line  with  the  town  of 
Caney.  General  Ludlow's  division  was  in  the  center  and  Colonel  Miles 
held  the  left. 

The  firing  at  times  was  very  heavy  during  the  morning,  but  the  Span- 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  475 

iards  in  the  covered  way  made  a  most  obstinate  defense  and  refused 
to  yield  an  inch.  Time  and  again  the  shells  from  Captain  Capron's 
battery  drove  them  to  cover,  but  as  soon  as  his  fire  ceased  they  were  up 
and  at  it  again.  Despite  the  heavy  firing  of  the  American  troops  they 
were  able  to  make  but  little  apparent  progress  during  the  morning, 
although  eventually  they  steadily  drew  in  and  inclosed  the  town  on  all 
sides. 

At  noon  it  became  evident  that  the  fire  from  the  covered  way  could 
not  be  stopped  by  the  artillery  alone  and  that  no  permanent  advance 
could  be  made  until  the  place  was  taken,  and  General  Lawton  decided 
to  capture  it  by  assault.  Accordingly  he  sent  a  messenger  to  General 
Chaffee,  with  instructions  to  take  the  position  by  a  charge.  General 
Chaffee  thereupon  closed  in  with  his  men  rapidly  from  the  north,  while 
Captain  Capron  maintained  a  heavy  fire  on  the  fort,  keeping  the  Span- 
iards in  the  covered  way  and  putting  hole  after  hole  into  the  stone  walls 
of  the  fort.  Shortly  afterward  he  threw  a  shot  from  the  battery,  which 
tore  away  the  flagstaff,  bringing  the  Spanish  flag  to  the  ground.  From 
that  time  no  banner  waved  above  it. 

No  finer  work  has  ever  been  done  by  soldiers  than  was  done  by  the 
brigades  of  General  Ludlow  and  Colonel  Miles  as  they  closed  in  on  the 
town.  The  Spanish  blazed  at  them  with  Mausers  and  machine  guns, 
but  without  effect.  Nothing  could  stop  them  and  they  pushed  in  closer 
during  the  afternoon,  and  by  the  time  General  Chaffee's  men  were  in 
form  Miles  and  Ludlow  were  in  the  streets  of  the  town,  holding  with 
tenacity  the  Spaniards  from  retreating  toward  Santiago,  while  Chaf- 
fee closed  in  on  the  right. 

The  fighting  for  hours  in  front  of  Colonel  Miles'  line  at  a  hacienda 
known  as  "Duero"  was  very  fierce.  The  Spanish  defense  was  exceed- 
ingly obstinate.  The  house  was  guarded  by  rifle  pits,  and  as  fast  as 
the  Spaniards  were  driven  from  one  they  retreated  into  another  and 
continued  firing. 

When  the  final  closing-in  movement  was  begun  at  6  p.  m.  the  town 
of  Caney  was  taken  and  a  large  number  of  prisoners  was  captured. 
The  Spanish  loss  was  2,000  in  all. 

Attack  on  Aguadores. 

The  only  movement  of  the  day  which  did  not  meet  with  success 
was  General  Duffield's  attempt  to  occupy  the  sea  village  of  Aguadores. 
The  New  York,  the  Suwanee  and  the  Gloucester  shelled  the  old  fort 


476  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

and  the  rifle  pits  during  the  forenoon,  drove  all  the  Spaniards  from 
the  vicinity  and  bowled  over  the  parapet  from  which  flew  the  Spanish 
flag;  but,  owing  to  the  broken  railway  bridge,  General  Duffield's  troops 
were  unable  to  get  across  the  river  which  separated  them  from  the 
little  town,  and  were  compelled  to  go  back  to  Juragua. 

Saturday  at  dawn  the  Spaniards,  encouraged  b}7  Linares  at  their 
head,  attempted  to  retake  San  Juan  hill.  Hotchkiss  guns  mowed  them 
down  in  platoons.  They  were  driven  back  into  the  third  line  of  their 
intrenchments,  and  there  their  sharpshooters,  reported  to  be  among  the 
finest  in  the  world,  checked  the  Americans.  The  batteries  of  Grimes, 
Parkhurst  and  Burt  were  compelled  to  retire  to  El  Paso  hill.  Lawton 
came  with  the  Ninth  Massachusetts  and  the  Thirty-third  and  Thirty- 
fourth  Michigan  and  the  Spaniards  began  to  retreat. 

Sampson  then  began  bombardment  of  the  outer  forts  of  Santiago. 
The  Oregon  shot  down  Morro's  flag  and  battered  the  old  castle  into  dust. 
The  batteries  at  Punta  Gorda  were  blown  up  by  the  Oregon  and  the 
Indiana.  Not  one  of  the  American  ships  was  hit  by  the  Spanish  fire. 

At  Guantanamo  the  Cuban  forces  under  Garcia  and  Castillo  killed 
300  Spanish  soldiers  and  routed  the  enemy's  army  there.  Castillo's 
forces  forced  their  way  to  within  five  miles  of  Santiago. 

Shafter's  Reports  of  the  Fight. 

The  nation  was  thrown  into  a  fever  of  excitement  Friday  when  the 
following  bulletin  was  posted  at  the  War  Department,  in  Washington: 

Camp,  Near  Sevilla,  Cuba. — Action  now  going  on.  The  firing  only  light 
and  desultory.  Began  on  the  right  near  Caney,  Lawton's  division.  He  will 
move  on  the  northeast  part  of  the  town  of  Santiago.  Will  keep  you  continu- 
ally advised  of  progress.  SHAFTER. 

For  several  hours  this  was  the  only  information  from  the  seat  of 
war,  but  later  a  dispatch  came  from  Colonel  Allen,  in  charge  of  the 
signal  station  at  Playa  del  Este.  He  said  that  the  fight  was  growing 
furious  in  all  directions.  At  the  time  he  sent  the  telegram  eight  Amer- 
icans and  nine  Cubans  had  been  wounded.  All  through  Saturday 
rumors  of  American  reverses  were  rife,  and  to  make  public  information 
definite,  so  far  as  it  went,  the  War  Department  thought  it  wise  to  post  a 
dispatch  which  it  had  received  early  that  morning.  This  was  as  follows: 

Siboney,  via  Playa  del  Este,  July  1. — I  fear  I  have  underestimated 
to-day's  casualties.  A  large  and  thoroughly  equipped  hospital  ship  should  be 


WASHERWOMAN 


INDIAN  GIRL  SELLING  FRUIT 


MALE  WATER  CARRIER  COCK  FIGHTERS 

TYPES  OF  THE  PHILIPPINES 


NATIVE  OF  INTERIOR 


FEMALE  WATER  CARRIER 


SHELLING  CORN  ABORIGINAL  NEGRO 

TYPES  OF  THE  PHILIPPINES 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  479 

sent  here  at  once  to  care  for  the  wounded.  The  chief  surgeon  says  he  has 
use  for  forty  more  medical  officers.  The  ship  must  bring  a  launch  and  boats 
for  conveying  the  wounded.  SH AFTER,  'Major-General. 

The  next  message  made  public  sent  a  wave  of  apprehension  over  the 
country.  The  text  was  as  follows : 

Camp  Near  Sevilla,  Cuba,  via  Playa  del  Este,  July  3. — We  have  the  town 
well  invested  in  the  north  and  east,  but  with  a  very  thin  line.  Upon  approach- 
ing it  we  find  it  of  such  a  character  and  the  defense  so  strong  it  will  be 
impossible  to  carry  it  by  storm  with  my  present  forces.  Our  losses  up  to 
date  will  aggregate  1,000,  but  list  has  not  yet  been  made.  But  little  sick- 
ness outside  of  exhaustion  from  intense  heat  and  exertion  of  the  battle  of 
day  before  yesterday  and  the  almost  constant  fire  which  is  kept  up  on  the 
trenches.  Wagon  road  to  the  rear  is  kept  open  with  difficulty  on  account 
of  rains,  but  I  will  be  able  to  use  it  for  the  present.  General  Wheeler  is 
seriously  ill  and  will  probably  have  to  go  to  the  rear  to-day.  General  Young 
is  also  very  ill,  confined  to  his  bed.  General  Hawkins  slightly  wounded  in 
the  foot  during  sortie  enemy  made  last  night,  which  was  handsomely 
repulsed.  The  behavior  of  the  troops  was  magnificent.  General  Garcia 
reported  he  holds  the  railroad  from  Santiago  to  San  Luis  and  has  burned 
a  bridge  and  removed  some  rails;  also  that  General  Pando  has  arrived  at 
Palma  and  that  the  French  consul,  with  about  400  French  citizens,  came 
into  his  line  yesterday  from  Santiago.  I  have  directed  him  to  treat  them 
with  every  courtesy  possible.  SHAFTER,  Major-General. 

General  Miles  sent  the  following  dispatch  to  General  Shatter: 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  Washington,  D.  C.,  July  3. — Accept  my 
hearty  congratulations  on  the  record  made  of  'magnificent  fortitude,  gallan- 
try, and  sacrifice  displayed  in  the  desperate  fighting  of  the  troops  before 
Santiago.  I  realize  the  hardships,  difficulties,  and  sufferings,  and  am  proud 
that  amid  those  terrible  scenes  the  troops  illustrated  such  fearless  and  patri- 
otic devotion  to  the  welfare  of  our  common  country  and  flag.  Whatever  the 
results  to  follow  their  unsurpassed  deeds  of  valor,  the  past  is  already  a  grat- 
ifying chapter  of  history.  I  expect  to  be  with  you  within  one  week,  with 

strong  reinforcements. 

MILES,  Major-General  Commanding. 

General  Shafter's  reply  was  as  follows: 

Playa,  July  4,  Headquarters  Fifth  Array  Corps,  Near  Santiago,  July  3.— - 
I  thank  you  in  the  name  of  the  gallant  men  I  have  the  honor  to  command  for 
splendid  tribute  of  praise  which  you  have  accorded  them.  They  bore  them- 
selves as  American  soldiers  always  have.  Your  telegram  will  be  published 


480  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

at  the  head  of  the  regiments  in  the  morning.  I  feel  that  I  am  master  of  the 
situation  and  can  hold  the  enemy  for  any  length  of  time.  I  am  delighted  to 
know  that  you  are  coming,  that  you  may  see  for  yourself  the  obstacles  which 
this  army  had  to  overcome.  My  only  regret  is  the  great  number  of  gallant 
souls  who  have  given  their  lives  for  our  country's  cause.  SHAFTER. 

In  the  light  of  these  sorrowful,  if  triumphant,  facts  it  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  the  enemy  also  suffered  a  terrible  loss.  In  the  fatuous 
sortie  upon  the  American  position  on  the  night  of  July  2  General 
Linares,  commanding  in  Santiago,  was  wounded  in  the  foot  and  shoulder 
and  500  of  his  soldiers  died  upon  the  field.  Scarcely  a  man  in  our 
intrenchnients  was  hurt.  Of  the  Spanish  29th  battalion  defending  El 
Caney  less  than  100  survived.  General  Vara  de  Key,  its  commander, 
was  buried  with  military  honors,  General  Ludlow  taking  possession  of 
his  sword  and  spurs. 

The  Spanish  fought  stubbornly  throughout,  and  their  retreat,  though 
steady,  was  slowly  and  coolly  conducted.  They  contested  every  inch  of 
the  wray  and  fought  with  unexpected  skill,  their  officers  handling  the 
troops  with  bravery  and  good  judgment,  and  demonstrating  that  in 
them  our  boys  in  blue  were  fighting  with  foemen  worthy  of  their  steel. 

The  gallantry  of  the  American  officers  was  conspicuous  throughout 
the  battle.  Major-General  Wheeler,  who  was  seriously  indisposed  and 
suffering  from  an  attack  of  fever,  ordered  an  ambulance  to  convey  him 
to  the  front,  where  the  sound  of  fighting  seemed  to  give  him  new  life, 
and  in  a  short  time  he  called  for  his  horse  and  personally  directed  his 
division  in  the  attack. 

General  Hawkins,  commanding  the  First  Brigade,  Ninth  Division, 
was  conspicuous  for  the  manner  in  which  he  exposed  himself  to  Spanish 
bullets.  After  taking  the  redoubt  on  the  hill  with  his  command  he 
stood  for  a  long  time  on  the  summit  watching  the  fight.  A  heavy  fire 
at  times  was  concentrated  on  the  spot,  but  he  surveyed  the  field  of  battle 
while  the  bullets  were  whizzing  past  by  hundreds. 

Shafter  Demands  the  Surrender  of  the  City. 

On  July  3  General  Shafter  sent  the  following  communication  to 
General  Toral,  commanding  the  Spanish  army  in  the  province  of  San- 
tiago: 

Headquarters  of  United  States  Forces,  Near  San  Juan  River,  Cuba,  July 
3,  8:30  A.  M. — To  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Spanish  Forces,  Santiago 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  481 

de  Cuba — Sir:  I  shall  be  obliged,  unless  you  surrender,  to  shell  Santiago 
de  Cuba.  Please  inform  the  citizens  of  foreign  countries  and  all  women  and 
children  that  they  should  leave  the  city  before  10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  W.  R.  SHAFTER, 

Major-General,  U.  S.  A. 
General  Toral  made  this  reply: 

Santiago  de  Cuba,  July  3,  2  P.  M. — His  Excellency,  the  General  Com- 
manding the  Forces  of  the  United  States,  San  Juan  River — Sir:  I  have  the 
honor  to  reply  to  your  communication  of  to-day  written  at  8:30  A.  M.  and 
received  at  1  P.  M.,  demanding  the  surrender  of  this  city;  on  the  contrary 
case  announcing  to  me  that  you  will  bombard  the  city,  and  asking  that  I 
advise  the  foreign  women  and  children  that  they  must  leave  the  city  before 
10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  It  is  my  duty  to  say  to  you  that  this  city  will 
not  surrender  and  that  I  will  inform  the  foreign  Consuls  and  inhabitants  of 
the  contents  of  your  message.  Very  respectfully,  JOSE  TORAL, 

Commander  in  Chief,  Fourth  Corps. 

The  British,  Portuguese,  Chinese,  and  Norwegian  Consuls  requested 
that  non-combatants  be  allowed  to  occupy  the  town  of  Caney  and  rail- 
road points,  and  asked  until  10  o'clock  of  the  next  day  for  them  to 
leave  Santiago.  They  claimed  that  there  were  between  15,000  and 
20,000  people,  many  of  them  old,  whose  lives  would  be  endangered  by 
the  bombardment.  On  the  receipt  of  this  request  General  Shafter  sent 
the  following  communication: 

The  Commanding  General,  Spanish  General,  Spanish  Forces,  Santiago 
de  Cuba — Sir:  In  consideration  of  the  request  of  the  Consuls  and  officers 
in  your  city  for  delay  in  carrying  out  my  intention  to  fire  on  the  city,  and 
in  the  interest  of  the  poor  women  and  children  who  will  suffer  greatly  by 
their  hasty  and  enforced  departure  from  the  city,  I  have  the  honor  to  an- 
nounce that  I  will  delay  such  action  solely  in  their  interest  until  noon  of  the 
5th,  providing  during  the  interval  your  forces  make  no  demonstration  what- 
ever upon  those  of  my  own. 

I  am  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  R.  SHAFTER,  Major-General,  U.  S.  A. 

On  July  6  the  flag  of  truce  which  had  been  flying  over  Santiago  for 
a  day  or  two  was  still  displayed,  but  a  smaller  flag  was  presently  seen 
coming  from  the  city  in  the  hands  of  a  man  in  uniform. 

A  party  was  sent  from  General  Shatter's  headquarters  to  receive 
the  bearer  of  the  flag.  It  was  found  that  he  was  a  commissioner  from 


482  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE    AMERICANS. 

General  Toral.  He  announced  to  those  who  met  him  that  he  had  an 
important  communication  to  deliver  to  the  commander  of  the  American 
army,  coming  direct  from  General  Toral,  and  he  desired  to  be  taken  to 
General  Shafter. 

Ordinarily  such  a  messenger  going  through  the  lines  would  be 
blindfolded.  Our  position  wras  so  strong,  however,  and  our  offensive 
works  so  impressive,  that  it  was  decided  to  give  the  commissioner  the 
free  use  'of  his  eyes,  so  that  he  might  see  all  the  preparations  that  have 
been  made  to  reduce  the  city.  The  siege  guns  and  mortar  batteries 
were  pointed  out  to  him,  and  he  was  entertained  all  the  way  to  head- 
quarters with  a  detailed  explanation  of  the  number  of  our  forces,  our 
guns,  and  other  matters  that  must  have  been  of  interest  to  him.  In 
fact,  he  was  very  much  impressed  by  what  he  heard  and  saw. 

Arriving  at  General  Shafter's  headquarters  the  communication  from 
the  Spanish  commander  was  delivered  with  some  ceremony.  It  was 
quite  long.  General  Toral  asked  that  the  time  of  the  truce  be  further 
extended,  as  he  wanted  to  communicate  with  the  Madrid  government 
concerning  the  surrender  of  the  city.  He  also  asked  that  cable  opera- 
tors be  sent  to  operate  the  line  between  Santiago  and  Kingston.  He 
promised  on  his  word  of  honor  as  a  soldier  that  the  operators  would 
not  be  asked  to  transmit  any  matter  except  that  bearing  on  the  sur- 
render, and  that  he  would  return  them  safe  to  El  Caney  when  a  final 
reply  was  received  from  Madrid.  This  request  for  operators  was  made 
necessary  by  the  fact  that  the  men  who  had  been  operating  the  San- 
tiago cable  were  British  subjects,  and  they  had  all  left  the  city  under 
the  protection  of  the  British  consul  when  the  Americans  gave  notice 
that  the  city  would  be  bombarded  unless  it  surrendered. 

The  commissioner  said  that  General  Toral  wanted  to  consult  with 
the  authorities  in  Madrid,  for  the  reason  that  he  had  been  unable  to 
communicate  with  Captain-General  Blanco  in  Havana. 

It  was  finally  arranged  that  the  truce,  which  expired  at  four  o'clock 
on  the  6th,  should  be  extended  until  the  same  hour  on  Saturday, 
July  9th. 

The  commissioner  was  escorted  back  through  another  part  of  the 
camp  which  was  filled  with  bristling  guns.  The  British  consul  having 
given  his  consent  to  the  operators  returning  to  the  city,  messengers  were 
sent  to  El  Caney  to  learn  if  the  men  would  go.  They  expressed  their 
willingness,  and  were  escorted  to  the  walls  of  the  city,  where  they  were 

+,  by  a  Spanish  escort  and  taken  to  the  office  of  the  cable  company. 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  483 


Destruction  of  Cervera's  Fleet. 

On  the  morning  of  July  3,  Admiral  Cervera,  commander  of  the  Span- 
ish fleet  in  the  harbor  of  Santiago  de  Cuba,  made  a  bold  dash  for  liberty 
by  a  desperate  attempt  to  break  through  the  American  line,  in  the  hope 
of  reaching  the  open  sea. 

In  the  face  of  overwhelming  odds,  with  nothing  before  him  but  in- 
evitable destruction  or  surrender  if  he  remained  any  longer  in  the  trap 
in  which  the  American  fleet  held  him,  he  made  a  dash  from  the  harbor 
at  the  time  the  Americans  least  expected  him  to  do  so,  and  fighting 
every  inch  of  his  way,  even  when  his  ship  was  ablaze  and  sinking,  he 
tried  to  escape  the  doom  which  was  written  on  the  muzzle  of  every 
American  gun  trained  upon  his  vessels. 

The  Spaniards  made  a  daring  venture,  and  with  a  less  vigilant  foe 
they  might  have  succeeded.  It  was  known  in  the  fleet  that  General 
Shafter  was  closing  in  on  the  city  and  that  Admiral  Cervera's  position 
was  desperate,  but  it  was  supposed  that  he  would  remain  in  the  harbor 
and  train  his  guns  on  the  American  land  forces  as  long  as  possible,  and 
that  he  would  blow  up  his  ships  rather  than  allow  them  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  It  is  certain  that  Admiral  Sampson  did  not 
expect  Cervera  to  make  a  break  for  liberty,  although  the  American 
commander  has  known  for  several  days  that  the  sinking  of  the  Merrimac 
did  not  completely  block  the  channel  entrance  to  Santiago  harbor. 

At  9:35  on  Sunday  morning  the  flagship  New  York,  with  Admiral 
Sampson  on  board,  was  many  miles  to  the  eastward,  bearing  tne  admiral 
to  a  conference  writh  General  Shafter.  The  fleet  as  a  whole  wras  much 
farther  off  shore  than  usual.  Any  one  looking  seaward  from  Morro 
Castle  and  seeing  the  distant  specks  on  the  water  wrould  not  have  real- 
ized that  the  port  was  effectively  blockaded.  Evidently  the  Spaniards 
had  been  waiting  for  the  American  fleet  to  become  thus  scattered. 
They  thought  our  fleet  wTas  napping,  and  that  this  was  the  time  to  make 
a  quick  exit  and  start  homeward. 

Very  soon  after  the  New  York  had  started  to  Siboney  the  shore 
batteries  opened  fire  on  the  American  fleet.  As  the  vessels  were  prac- 
tically out  of  range  and  not  in  the  usual  line  formation  this  firing  from 
the  shore  caused  some  surprise.  In  the  first  place,  these  batteries  had 
been  shelled  the  day  before,  and  it  was  supposed  that  they  had  been 
silenced,  and  in  the  second  place  it  seemed  foolish  of  the  Spaniards  to 
undertake  haphazard  firing. 


484  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOK   THE    AMERICANS. 

At  that  time  the  vessels  of  the  blockading  squadron  were  at  varying 
distances  of  from  three  to  ten  miles  from  the  harbor  entrance.  Most 
of  the  American  cruisers  were  at  the  usual  Sunday  morning  quarters, 
and  not  one  s-hip  was  really  prepared  for  immediate  action.  Almost  as 
soon  as  the  batteries  opened  fire  a  Spanish  cruiser,  the  Cristobal  Colon, 
was  seen  to  emerge  from  the  channel  entrance  and  head  toward  sea, 
firing  her  forward  battery  as  she  came.  Then  the  signals  hurried  from 
one  ship  to  another,  and  on  every  American  vessel  there  was  a  rush  of 
activity.  In  every  engine  room  there  was  a  signal  for  full  speed.  The 
entire  fleet  began  to  move  in  toward  the  shore,  heading  for  the  channel 
entrance.  At  9:45  the  Oquendo  slipped  out  of  the  channel.  By  this 
time  the  Cristobal  Colon  had  turned  to  the  west,  and  with  a  good  head- 
way was  attempting  to  slip  past  the  blockaders.  The  Maria  Teresa,  the 
Yizcaya,  the  two  torpedo-boat  destroyers,  the  Furor  and  the  Pluton, 
and  a  gunboat  were  all  clear  of  the  channel  entrance  and  racing  for 
liberty  when  the  American  vessels  opened  fire  at  long  range.  The 
Brooklyn,  Massachusetts,  Texas,  Oregon  and  Iowa  bore  down  upon  the 
Spaniards  and  opened  fire,  but  they  wTere  too  far  away  to  get  a  good 
range.  As  for  the  Spaniards,  they  began  to  shoot  as  soon  as  they  came 
out  of  the  harbor  and  continued  to  blaze  away  until  they  were  utterly 
defeated,  but  they  showed  poor  judgment  and  bad  marksmanship. 

The  Gloucester's  Good  Work. 

As  the  Americans  came  in  closer  and  closer  the  fighting  became 
general.  The  Gloucester  had  been  lying  off  Aguadores,  three  miles  east 
of  Morro,  when  the  Spaniards  came  out.  She  hurried  to  join  in  the 
attack,  and  at  first  opened  fire  on  one  of  the  large  cruisers.  Already 
they  were  being  pounded  with  terrific  effect  by  the  battleships,  however, 
so  the  little  Gloucester  turned  her  attention  to  the  two  torpedo-boat 
destroyers  which  had  slipped  out  of  the  harbor  behind  the  cruisers. 
The  Gloucester  was  one  of  the  swiftest  boats  in  the  navy,  and  although 
she  was  equipped  with  nothing  heavier  than  six-pound  guns  she  made 
a  resolute  attack  on  the  two  destroyers,  and  the  chase  began.  They 
headed  to  the  west  at  high  speed,  and  she  flew  after  them,  pouring  shot 
after  shot  with  such  wonderful  accuracy,  that  by  the  time  the  destroyers 
were  five  miles  to  the  west  of  Morro  both  were  on  fire  and  plainly  dis- 
abled. They  had  persistently  returned  the  fire,  and  a  shower  of  little 
shells  fell  around  the  yacht,  but  once  more  the  American  gunners  showed 
their  superiority,  for  the  Gloucester  was  comparatively  unhurt. 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOB  THE  AMERICANS.  485 

The  Furor  turned  at  last  and  gave  battle  to  the  Gloucester.  Here 
was  another  instance  of  American  good  luck  and  Spanish  inefficiency. 
Tke  Furor  sent  torpedoes  against  the  Gloucester,  but  they  failed  to 
explode.  As  soon  as  the  Spanish  destroyer  stopped  the  Gloucester  sim- 
ply raked  her  fore  and  aft  with  rapid-fire  guns,  and  the  Furor  again 
headed  west  to  escape  the  terrible  punishment.  The  smoke  was  pouring 
out  of  her  sides,  and  soon  she  turned  in  toward  shore,  evidently  in  a 
sinking  condition.  The  members  of  the  crew  flocked  to  the  small  boats 
and  abandoned  their  craft.  Later  on  most  of  them  were  taken  prisoners 
on  shore.  The  Furor  was  floating  about,  a  mass  of  flame. 

The  Pluton  also  was  disabled,  and  headed  for  the  shore.  She  was 
beached  under  a  low  bluff,  where  a  heavy  sea  was  running,  and  was 
soon  pounded  so  that  she  broke  in  two  in  the  middle.  Only  about  half 
of  the  crew  reached  the  shore  alive. 

Having  disposed  of  the  two  destroyers  the  Gloucester  lowered  her 
small  boats  and  sent  them  ashore  to  rescue  the  Spanish  sailors.  The 
Furor  drifted  about  until  the  fire  reached  her  magazines,  and  then  there 
were  two  terrific  explosions  which  shattered  her  hull.  Her  stern  sunk 
quickly,  and  as  it  went  down  her  bow  rose  until  it  stood  almost  straight 
up  in  the  air,  and  in  this  position  she  disappeared  from  sight. 

Test  of  Battleships. 

While  the  little  yacht  had  been  gaining  this  notable  victory  over 
the  two  famous  destroyers  the  big  battleships  had  been  following  the 
line  of  Spanish  cruisers  and  pounding  them  with  great  persistence.  The 
four  Spanish  cruisers  were  under  the  direct  fire  of  the  Brooklyn,  and  the 
four  battleships,  the  Massachusetts,  the  Texas,  the  Iowa  and  the  Oregon. 
It  was  the  first  time  that  any  first-class  battleship  had  ever  been  put 
to  the  test  in  a  naval  battle.  The  huge  fighting  vessels  kept  close  after 
the  feist  cruisers  and  fired  their  big  guns  with  deadly  certainty.  The 
American  fire  was  so  rapid  that  the  ships  were  surrounded  by  clouds  of 
smoke. 

The  Spanish  gunners  seemed  unable  to  get  the  proper  range  and 
many  of  their  shots  were  very  wild,  though  a  number  of  them  fell  dan- 
gerously near  to  the  mark. 

Two  guns  of  the  battery  just  east  of  Morro  also  took  part  in  the 
game  and  their  shells  fell  around  the  American  ships.  Many  of  them 
struck  the  upper  works  of  the  fleeing  Spaniards  and  must  have  resulted 
in  killing  and  wounding  many  of  their  men. 


486  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR   THE   AMERICANS. 

The  Spanish  ships  had  now  reached  a  point  about  seven  miles  we&t 
of  Morro  and  a  mile  or  two  beyond  the  place  where  the  Furor  was 
burning  and  the  Pluton  broken  in  two  against  the  cliff. 

The  flagship  and  the  Oquendo  were  the  first  to  show  signals  of  dis- 
tress. Two  thirteen-inch  shells  from  one  of  the  battleships  had  struck 
the  Maria  Teresa  at  the  water  line,  tearing  great  holes  in  her  side  and 
causing  her  to  fill  rapidly.  The  Oquendo  suffered  about  the  same  fate 
and  both  ships  headed  for  a  small  cove  and  went  aground  200  yards 
from  the  shore,  flames  shooting  from  them  in  every  direction. 

The  Gloucester,  after  sending  a  boat  ashore  to  the  Pluton,  steamed 
along  the  coast  to  where  the  armored  cruisers  were  stranded  and  went 
to  their  assistance.  There  was  danger  from  the  magazines,  and  many 
of  those  on  board  jumped  into  the  water  and  swam  to  the  shore,  though 
a  number  wrere  unable  to  reach  the  small  strip  of  sandy  beach  in  the 
cove  and  were  thrown  against  the  rocks  and  killed  or  drowned.  Many 
of  the  wTounded  were  lowered  into  the  ships'  own  boats  and  taken  ashore, 
but  this  task  was  a  most  difficult  one. 

The  Gloucester  had  all  her  boats  out  and  one  seaman  swam  through 
the  surf  with  a  line  from  the  Maria  Teresa,  making  it  fast  to  a  tree 
on  the  shore.  By  this  means  many  on  the  flagship,  including  Admiral 
Cervera,  lowered  themselves  into  the  Gloucester's  boats.  The  wounded 
wrere  taken  to  the  Gloucester  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  the  lower  deck 
of  the  yacht  wras  soon  covered  with  Spanish  sailors  mangled  in  limb  and 
body  by  the  bursting  of  shells. 

Chase  of  the  Cristobal  Colon. 

The  Brooklyn,  Oregon,  Massachusetts  and  Texas  and  several  smaller 
vessels  continued  the  chase  of  the  Cristobal  Colon,  and  in  less  than  an 
hour  were  lost  to  view  of  the  burning  ships  on  shore.  The  Iowa  and 
Texas  both  gave  assistance  to  the  imperiled  crew  of  the  Yizcaya.  Her 
Captain  surrendered  his  command  and  the  prisoners  were  transferred  to 
the  battleship.  The  Vizcaya  probably  lost  about  sixty  men,  as  she 
carried  a  complement  of  400  and  only  340  were  taken  aboard  the  Iowa. 

Soon  after  Admiral  Cervera  reached  the  shore  and  surrendered  he 
was  taken  to  the  Gloucester,  at  his  own  request.  There  was  no  mis- 
taking the  heartbroken  expression  upon  the  old  commander's  face  as 
he  took  the  proffered  hand  of  Captain  Wainwright  and  was  shown  to 
the  tatter's  cabin,  but  he  made  every  effort  to  bear  bravely  the  bitter 
defeat  that  had  come  to  him.  He  thanked  the  Captain  of  the  Glouces- 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOE  THE  AMERICANS.  487 

ter  for  the  words  of  congratulation  offered  on  the  gallant  fight,  and  then 
spoke  earnestly  of  his  solicitude  for  the  safety  of  his  men  on  shore.  He 
informed  Captain  Wainwright  that  Cuban  soldiers  were  on  the  hills 
preparing  to  attack  his  unarmed  men  and  asked  that  they  be  protected. 

For  hours  after  Admiral  Cervera  went  aboard  the  Gloucester  the 
Infanta  Maria  Teresa,  Almirante  Oquendo  and  Vizcaya  continued  to 
burn  and  every  now  and  then  a  deep  roar,  accompanied  by  a  burst  of 
flame  and  smoke  from  the  sides  of  the  ships,  would  announce  the  explo- 
sion of  more  ammunition  or  another  magazine. 

It  may  be  mentioned  as  a  coincidence  that  Lieutenant-Commander 
Wainwright,  the  Commander  of  the  Gloucester,  was  executive  officer  of 
the  Maine  at  the  time  of  the  disaster,  and,  although  he  remained  in 
Havana  harbor  two  months  after  the  explosion,  he  lived  on  board  the 
dispatch  boat  Fern  and  steadfastly  refused  to  set  his  foot  within  the 
city  until  the  time  should  come  when  he  could  go  ashore  at  the  head  ol 
a  landing  party  of  American  blue  jackets.  To-day  it  was  his  ship  that 
sank  two  Spanish  torpedo-boat  destroyers  and  afterward  received  the 
Spanish  Admiral  aboard  as  a  prisoner  >  of  war. 

From  his  position  on  the  bridge  of  the  Gloucester  Lieutenant-Com- 
mander Wainwright  watched  the  flames  and  smoke  as  they  enveloped 
the  decks  of  the  three  greatest  warships  of  the  Spanish  navy,  which 
were  soon  to  be  reduced  to  nothing  but  shattered  masts  and  twisted 
smokestacks  protruding  above  the  water. 

The  prisoners  of  war  included  the  captains  of  both  boats.  None 
offered  any  resistance  and  all  were  glad  to  go  to  the  Gloucester,  as  they 
feared  an  attack  from  the  Cubans. 

When  asked  to  make  some  statement  in  regard  to  the  result  of  the 
battle  Admiral  Cervera  said:  "I  would  rather  lose  my  ships  at  sea,  like 
a  sailor,  than  in  a  harbor.  It  wras  the  only  thing  left  for  me  to  do." 

The  work  of  the  American  battleships  was  as  rapid  as  it  was  ter- 
rible. At  9:35  the  first  vessel  headed  out  past  Morro  Castle.  At  10 
o'clock  the  two  destroyers  were  wrecked  and  deserted.  At  10:15  the 
Oquendo  and  Maria  Teresa  were  encircled  by  the  Iowa,  Indian^  and 
Texas.  At  10:40  both  were  on  the  rocks.  A  few  minutes  later  the  Viz- 
caya was  abandoned. 

The  Cristobal  Colon,  having  the  lead,  ran  farther  along  the  coast 
before  the  persistent  firing  by  the  Brooklyn  and  Massachusetts  brought 
her  to  a  stop.  She  fought  for  twenty  minutes.  At  noon  she  was  on  the 
rocks,  perforated  and  tattered.  Spain's  greatest  fleet  was  destroyed  in 
about  three  hours. 


488  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

Chief  Yoeman  Ellis  of  the  Brooklyn  was  the  only  American  killed 
in  three  hours  of  incessant  fighting,  while  the  Spanish  loss  reached  600 
killed,  400  wounded  and  1,100  taken  prisoners. 

Admiral  Sampson's  Official  Report. 

Following  is  the  official  report  sent  by  Admiral  Sampson  to  the  navy 
department  at  Washington: 

United  States  Flagship  New  York,  First  Rate,  Off  Santiago  de  Cuba, 
July  15,  1898. — Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  upon 
the  battle,  with  the  destruction  of  the  Spanish  squadron,  commanded  by 
Admiral  Cervera,  off  Santiago  de  Cuba  on  Sunday,  July  3,  1898: 

The  enemy's  vessels  came  out  of  the  harbor  between  9:35  and  10  A.  M., 
the  head  of  the  column  appearing  around  Cayo  Smith  at  9:31  and  emerging 
from  the  channel  five  or  six  minutes  later.  The  positions  of  the  vessels  of 
my  command  off  Santiago  at  that  moment  were  as  follows:  The  flagship 
New  York  was  four  miles  east  of  her  blockading  station  and  about  seven 
miles  from  the  harbor  entrance.  She  had  started  for  Sjboney,  where  I 
intended  to  land,  accompanied  by  several  of  my  staff,  and  go  to  the  front 
to  consult  with  General  Shafter.  A  discussion  of  the  situation  and  a  more 
definite  understanding  between  us  of  the  operations  proposed  had  been 
rendered  necessary  by  the  unexpectedly  strong  resistance  of  the  Spanish 
garrison  of  Santiago.  I  had  sent  my  chief  of  staff  on  shore  the  day  before 
to  arrange  an  interview  with  General  Shafter,  who  had  been  suffering  from 
heat  prostration.  I  made  arrangements  to  go  to  his  headquarters,  and  my 
flagship  was  in  the  position  mentioned  above  when  the  Spanish  squadron 
appeared  in  the  channel. 

The  remaining  vessels  were  in  or  near  their  usual  blockading  positions, 
distributed  in  a  semi-circle  about  the  harbor  entrance,  counting  from  the 
eastward  to  the  westward  in  the  following  order:  The  Indiana,  about  a  mile 
and  a  half  from  shore;  the  Oregon — the  New  York's  place  between  these 
two — the  Iowa,  Texas  and  Brooklyn,  the  latter  two  miles  from  the  shore 
west  of  Santiago.  The  distance  of  the  vessels  from  the  harbor  entrance  was 
from  two  and  one-half  to  four  miles — the*  latter  being  the  limit  of  day-block- 
ading distance.  The  length  of  the  arc  formed  by  the  ships  was  about  eight 
miles. 

The  Massachusetts  had  left  at  4  A.  M.  for  Guantanamo  for  coal.  Her 
station  was  between  the  Iowa  and  the  Texas.  The  auxiliaries  Gloucester 
and  Vixen  lay  close  to  the  land  and  nearer  the  harbor  entrance  than  the 
large  vessels,  the  Gloucester  to  the  eastward  and  the  Vixen  to  the  west- 
ward. The  torpedo  boat  Ericsson  was  in  company  with  the  flagship,  and 
remained  with  her  during  the  chase  until  ordered  to  discontinue,  when  she 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  489 

rendered    very    efficient    service   in    rescuing    prisoners   from    the    burning 
Vizcaya. 

The  Spanish  vessels  came  rapidly  out  of  the  harbor  at  a  speed  estimated 
at  from  eight  to  ten  knots  and  in  the  following  order:  Infanta  Maria 
Teresa  (flagship),  Vizcaya,  Cristobal  Colon  and  the  Almirante  Oquendo.  The 
distance  between  these  ships  was  about  800  yards,  which  means  that  from 
the  time  the  first  one  became  visible  in  the  upper  reach  of  the  channel  until 
the  last  one  was  out  of  the  harbor  an  interval  of  only  about  twelve  minutes 
elapsed.  Following  the  Oquendo  at  a  distance  of  about  1,200  yards  came 
the  torpedo-boat  destroyer  Pluton,  and  after  her  the  Furor.  The  armored 
cruisers,  as  rapidly  as  they  could  bring  their  guns  to  bear,  opened  a  vigor- 
ous fire  upon  the  blockading  vessels  and  emerged  from  the  channel  shrouded 
in  the  smoke  from  their  guns. 

•  The  men  of  our  ships  in  front  of  the  port  were  at  Sunday  "quarters  for 
inspection."  The  signal  was  made  simultaneously  from  several  vessels, 
"Enemy  ships  escaping"  and  "general  quarters"  was  sounded.  The  men 
cheered  as  they  sprang  to  their  guns,  and  fire  was  opened  probably  within 
eight  minutes  by  the  vessels  whose  guns  commanded  the  entrance.  The  New 
York  turned  about  and  steamed  for  the  escaping  fleet,  flying  the  signal  "Close 
in  towards  harbor  entrance  and  attack  vessels,"  and  gradually  increased  her 
speed,  until  toward  the  end  of  the  chase  she  was  making  sixteen  and  a  half 
knots,  and  was  rapidly  closing  on  the  Cristobal  Colon.  She  was  not  at  any 
time  within  the  range  of  the  heavy  Spanish  ships,  and  her  only  part  in  the 
firing  was  to  receive  the  undivided  fire  of  the  forts  in  passing  the  harbor 
entrance  and  to  fire  a  few  shots  at  one  of  the  destroyers,  thought  at  the 
moment  to  be  attempting  to  escape  from  the  Gloucester. 

The  Spanish  vessels,  upon  clearing  the  harbor,  turned  to  the  westward 
in  column,  increasing  their  speed  to  the  full  power  of  their  engines.  The 
heavy  blockading  vessels,  which  had  closed  in  toward  the  Morro  at  the 
instant  of  the  enemy's  appearance  and  at  their  best  speed,  delivered  a  rapid 
fire,  well  sustained  and  destructive,  which  speedily  overwhelmed  and  silenced 
the  Spanish  fire.  The  initial  speed  of  the  Spaniards  carried  them  rapidly 
past  the  blockading  vessels  and  the  battle  developed  into  a  chase,  in  which 
the  Brooklyn  and  Texas  had  at  the  start,  the  advantage  of  position.  The 
Brooklyn  maintained  this  lead.  The  Oregon,  steaming  with  amazing  speed 
from  the  commence'ment  of  the  action,  took  first  place.  The  Iowa  and  In- 
diana, having  done  good  work  and  not  having  the  speed  of  the  other  ships, 
were  directed  by  me,  in  succession,  at  about  the  time  the  Vizcaya  was 
beached,  to  drop  out  of  the  chase  and  resume  the  blockading  station.  The 
Vixen,  finding  that  the  rush  of  the  Spanish  ships  would  put  her  between  two 
fires,  ran  outside  of  our  own  column,  and  remained  there  during  the  battle 
and  chase. 

The  skillful  handling  and  gallant  fighting  of  the  Gloucester  excited  the 


490  CONTINUED   SUCCESS  FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

admiration  of  every  one  who  witnessed  it  and  merits  the  commendation  of 
the  navy  department.  She  is  a  fast  and  entirely  unprotected  auxiliary  vessel 
• — the  yacht  Corsair — and  has  a  good  battery  of  light  rapid-fire  guns.  She 
was  lying  about  two  miles  from  the  harbor  entrance,  to  the  southward  and 
eastward,  and  immediately  steamed  in,  opening  fire  upon  the  large  ships. 
Anticipating  the  appekrance  of  the  Pluton  and  Furor,  the  Gloucester  was 
slowed,  thereby  gaining  more  rapidly  a  high  pressure  of  steam,  and  when 
the  destroyers  came  out  she  steamed  for  them  at  full  speed  and  was  able 
to  close  at  short  range,  where  her  fire  was  accurate,  deadly  and  of  great 
volume. 

During  this  fight  the  Gloucester  was  under  the  fire  of  the  Socapa  bat- 
tery. Within  twenty  minutes  from  the  time  they  emerged  from  Santiago 
harbor  the  careers  of  the  Furor  and  the  Pluton  were  ended  and  two-thirds 
of  their  people  killed.  The  Furor  was  beached  and  sunk  in  the  surf,  the 
Pluton  sank  in  deep  water  a  few  minutes  later.  The  destroyers  probably 
suffered  much  injury  from  the  fire  of  the  secondary  batteries  of  the  battle- 
ships Iowa,  Indiana  and  the  Texas,  yet  I  think  a  very  considerable  factor 
in  their  speedy  destruction  was  the  fire  at  close  range  of  the  Gloucester's 
battery.  After  rescuing  the  survivors  of  the  destroyers  the  Gloucester  did 
excellent  service  in  landing  and  securing  the  crew  of  the  Infanta  Maria 
Teresa. 

The  method  of  escape  attempted  by  the  Spaniards — all  steering  in  the 
same  direction  and  in  formation — removed  all  tactical  doubts  or  difficulties 
and  made  plain  the  duty  of  every  United  States  vessel  to  close  in,  immedi- 
ately engage  and  pursue.  This  was  promptly  and  effectively  done. 

As  already  stated,  the  first  rush  of  the  Spanish  squadron  carried  it  past 
a  number  of  the  blockading  ships,  which  could  not  immediately  work  up  to 
their  best  speed,  but  they  suffered  heavily  in  passing,  and  the  Infanta  Maria 
Teresa  and  the  Oquendo  were  probably  set  on  fire  by  shells  fired  during  the 
first  fifteen  minutes  of  the  engagement.  It  wras  afterwards  learned  that  the 
Infanta  Maria  Teresa's  fire  main  had  been  cut  by  one  of  our  first  shots  and 
that  she  was  unable  to  extinguish  the  fire.  With  large,  volumes  of  smoke 
rising  from  their  lower  decks  aft,  these  vessels  gave  up  both  fight  and  flight 
and  ran  in  on  the  beach — the  Infanta  Maria  Teresa  at  about  10:15  A.  M.  at 
Nima  Nima,  six  and  one-half  miles  from  Santiago  harbor  entrance,  and  the 
Almirante  Oquendo  at  about  10:30  A.  M.  at  Juan  Gonzales,  seven  miles  from 
the  port. 

The  Vizoaya  was  still  under  the  fire  of  the  leading  vessels;  the  Cristobal 
Colon  had  drawn  ahead,  leading  the  chase,  and  soon  passed  beyond  the  range 
of  the  guns  of  the  leading  American  ships.  The  Vizcaya  was  soon  set  on 
fire,  and  at  11 :15  A.  M.  she  turned  in  shore  and  was  beached  at  Aserraderos, 
fifteen  miles  from  Santiago,  burning  fiercely,  and  with  her  reserves  of  ammu- 
nition on  deck  already  beginning  to  explode. 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOE  THE  AMERICANS.  491 

When  about  ten  miles  west  of  Santiago  the  Indiana  had  been  signaled 
to  go  back  to  the  harbor  entrance,  and  at  Aserraderos  the  Iowa  was  sig- 
naled to  "resume  blockading  station."  The  Iowa,  assisted  by  the  Ericsson 
and  the  Hist,  took  off  the  crew  of  the  Vizcaya,  while  the  Harvard  and  the 
Gloucester  rescued  those  of  the  Infanta  Maria  Teresa  and  the  Almirante 
Oquendo. 

This  rescue  of  prisoners,  including  the  wounded,  from  the  burning 
Spanish  vessels  was  the  occasion  of  some  of  the  most  daring  aiad  gallant 
conduct  of  the  day.  The  ships  were  burning  fore  and  aft,  their  guns  and 
reserve  ammunition  were  exploding,  and  it  was  not  known  at  what  moment 
the  fire  would  reach  the  main  magazines.  In  addition  to  this  a  heavy  surf  was 
running  just  inside  of  the  Spanish  ships.  But  no  risk  deterred  our  officers 
and  men  until  their  work  of  humanity  was  complete. 

There  remained  now  of  the  Spanish  ships  only  the  Cristobal  Colon,  but 
she  was  their  best  and  fastest  vessel.  Forced  by  the  situation  to  hug  the 
Cuban  coast,  her  only  chance  of  escape  was  by  superior  and  sustained  speed. 
When  the  Vizcaya  went  ashore  the  Colon  was  about  six  miles  ahead  of  the 
Brooklyn  and  the  Oregon,  but  her  spurt  was  finished  and  the  American  ships 
were  now  gaining  upon  her.  Behind  the  Brooklyn  and  the  Oregon  came  the 
Texas,  Vixen  and  New  York.  It  was  evident  from  the  bridge  of  the  New 
York  that  all  the  American  ships  were  gradually  overhauling  the  Colon,  and 
that  she  had  no  chance  of  escape. 

At  12:50  the  Brooklyn  and  the  Oregon  opened  fire  and  got  her  range, 
the  Oregon's  heavy  shell  striking  beyond  her,  and  at  1 :10  she  gave  up  without 
firing  another  shot,  hauled  down  her  colors  and  ran  ashore  at  Rio  Torquino, 
forty-eight  miles  from  Santiago.  Capt.  Cook  of  the  Brooklyn  went  on  board 
to  receive  the  surrender.  While  his  boat  was  alongside  I  came  up  in  the 
New  York,  received  his  report  and  placed  the  Oregon  in  charge  of  the  wreck 
to  save  her,  if  possible,  and  directed  the  prisoners  to  be  transferred  to  the 
Resolute,  which  had  followed  the  chase. 

Commodore  Schley,  whose  chief  of  staff  had  gone  on  board  to  receive 
the  surrender,  had  directed  that  all  their  personal  effects  should  be  retained 
by  the  officers.  This  order  I  did  not  modify.  The  Cristobal  Colon  was  not 
injured  by  our  firing,  and  probably  is  not  much  injured  by  beaching,  though 
she  ran  ashore  at  high  speed.  The  beach  was  so  steep  that  she  cam*  off  by 
the  working  of  the  sea.  But  her  sea  valves  were  opened  and  broken,  treach- 
erously, I  am  sure,  after  her  surrender,  and  despite  all  efforts  she  sank.  When 
it  became  evident  ^that  she  could  not  be  kept  afloat  she  was  pushed  by  the 
New  York  bodily  up  on  the  beach,  the  New  York's  stem  being  placed  against 
her  for  this  purpose — the  ship  being  handled  by  Capt.  Chadwick  with  ad- 
mirable judgment — and  sank  in  shoal  water  and  may  be  saved.  Had  this  not 
been  done  she  would  have  gone  down  in  deep  water  and  would  have  been  to 
a  certainty  a  total  loss. 


492  CONTINUED   SUCCESS  FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

I  regard  this  complete  and  important  victory  over  the  Spanish  forces  as 
the  successful  finish  of  several  weeks  of  arduous  and  close  blockade,  so 
stringent  and  effective  during  the  night  that  the  enemy  was  deterred  from 
making  the  attempt  to  escape  at  night  and  deliberately  elected  to  make  the 
attempt  in  daylight.  That  this  was  the  case  I  was  informed  by  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  Cristobal  Colon. 

It  was  ascertained  with  fair  conclusiveness  that  the  Merrimac,  so  gal- 
lantly taken  into  the  channel  on  June  3,  did  not  obstruct  it.  I  therefore 
maintained  the  blockade  as  follows: 

To  the  battleships  was  assigned  the  duty,  in  turn,  of  lighting  the  chan- 
nel. Moving  up  to  the  port  at  a  distance  of  from  one  to  two  miles  from  the 
MOITO — dependent  upon  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere — they  threw  a 
searchlight  beam  directly  up  the  channel,  and  held  it  steadily  there.  This 
lighted  up  the  entire  breadth  of  the  channel  for  half  a  mile  inside  of  the 
entrance  so  brilliantly  that  the  movement  of  small  boats  could  be  detected. 

When  all  the  work  was  done  so  well  it  is  difficult  to  discriminate  in 
praise.  The  object  of  the  blockade  of  Cervera's  squadron  was  fully  accom- 
plished, and  each  individual  bore  well  his  part  in  it — the  commodore  in  com- 
mand on  the  second  division,  the  captains  of  ships,  their  officers  and  men. 
The  fire  of  the  battleships  was  powerful  and  destructive  and  the  resist- 
ance of  the  Spanish  squadron  was  in  great  part  broken  almost  before  they 
had  got  beyond  the  range  of  their  own  forts.  The  fine  speed  of  the  Oregon, 
enabled  her  to  take  a  front  position  in  the  chase,  and  the  Cristobal  Colon  did 
not  give  up  until  the  Oregon  had  thrown  a  13-inch  shell  beyond  her.  This 
performance  adds  to  the  already  brilliant  record  of  this  fine  battleship  and 
speaks  highly  of  the  skill  and  care  with  which  her  admirable  efficiency  has 
been  maintained  during  a  service  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  vessels  of 
her  class. 

The  Brooklyn's  westerly  blockading  position  gave  her  an  advantage  in 
the  chase,  which  she  maintained  to  the  end,  and  she  employed  her  fine  bat- 
tery with  telling  effect.  The  Texas  and  the  New  York  were  gaining  on  the 
chase  during  the  last  hour,  and  had  any  accident  befallen  the  Brooklyn  or 
the  Oregon,  would  have  speedily  overhauled  the  Cristobal  Colon.  From  the 
moment  the  Spanish  vessel  exhausted  her  first  burst  of  speed  the  result  was 
never  in  doubt.  She  fell,  in  fact,  far  below  what  might  reasonably  have 
been  expected  of  her.  Careful  measurements  of  time  and  distance  give  her 
an  average  speed — from  the  time  she  cleard  the  harbor  mouth  until  the  time 
she  was  run  on  shore  at  Rio  Tarquino — of  13.7  knots.  Neither  the  New  York 
nor  the  Brooklyn  stopped  to  couple  up  their  forward  engine,  but  ran  out  the 
chase  with  one  pair,  getting  steam,  of  course,  as  rapidly  as  possible  on  all 
boilers.  To  stop  to  couple  up  the  forward  engines  would  have  meant  a  delay 
of  fifteen  minutes — or  four  miles — in  the  chase. 

Several  of  the  ships  were  struck,  the  Brooklyn  more  often  than  the 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  493 

others,  but  very  slight  material  injury  was  done,  the  greatest  being  aboard 
the  Iowa.  Our  loss  was  one  man  killed  and  one  wounded,  both  on  the  Brook- 
lyn. It  is  difficult  to  explain  this  immunity  from  loss  of  life  or  injury  to  ships 
in  a  combat  with  modern  vessels  of  the  best  type;  but  Spanish  gunnery  is 
poor  at  the  best,  and  the  superior  weight  and  accuracy  of  our  fire  speedily 
drove  the  men  from  their  guns  and  silenced  their  fire.  This  is  borne  out  by 
the  statements  of  prisoners  and  by  observation.  The  Spanish  vessels,  as  they 
dashed  out  of  the  harbor,  were  covered  with  the  smoke  from  their  own  guns, 
but  this  speedily  diminished  in  volume  and  soon  almost  disappeared.  The 
fire  from  the  rapid-fire  batteries  of  the  battleships  appears  to  have  been 
remarkably  destructive.  An  examination  of  the  stranded  vessels  shows  that 
the  Almirante  Oquendo  especially  ha'd  suffered  terribly  from  this  fire.  Her 
sides  are  everywhere  pierced  and  her  decks  were  strewn  with  the  charred 
remains  of  those  W7ho  had  fallen. 

W.  T.  SAMPSON, 
Rear  Admiral  United  States  Navy,  Commander  in  Chief  United  States  Naval 

Force,  North  Atlantic  Station. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Burning  of  the  Alfonso  XII. 

Two  batteries  silenced;  two  gunboats  put  to  flight;  the  Alfonso  XII., 
a  transport  of  5,000  tons,  loaded  with  ammunition,  beached  and  burned; 
those  were  the  Spanish  losses  in  the  second  battle  of  Mariel  on  Wednes- 
day, July  6.  The  Hawk,  Prairie  and  Castine  fought  it,  destroying  the 
most  valuable  ship  and  cargo  that  Spanish  daring  employed  to  run  into 
Havana's  relief  after  the  blockading  squadron  stationed  itself  before 
Morro. 

The  Hawk  began  the  battle  Tuesday  night  off  Havana.  Lieutenant 
Hood  had  taken  his  destroyer  yacht  far  in  under  the  guns  to  watch  the 
western  approach  to  the  harbor.  Twenty  minutes  before  midnight  he 
reached  the  eastern  limit  of  his  patrol,  six  miles  west  of  Morro,  and 
went  about,  swinging  farther  in  shore  as  he  turned.  The  Hawk  had  not 
finished  circling  when  the  forward  lookout  sighted  a  huge  four-masted 
steamer  creeping  along  in  the  shade  of  the  shore  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
nearer  the  beach,  a  mile  to  the  westward.  His  "sail  ho"  warned  the 
master  of  the  steamer  that  he  was  discovered  and  he  put  about  at  the  cry 
and  steamed  furiously  away  toward  Mariel. 

Lieutenant  Hood  was  after  him  in  an  instant.  Eastward  within  call 
lay  six  warships,  but  Lieutenant  Hood  wanted  the  steamer  for  his  own 
prize,  and  started  after  her  without  calling  for  aid.  Mile  after  mile 


494  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOB   THE   AMERICANS. 

the  two  vessels  reeled  off,  the  Hawk  waiting  to  get  its  prey  well  away 
from  the  squadron  before  striking.  Twenty  miles  from  Morro  the 
steamer  began  drawing  away  from  the  destroyer.  The  Hawk's  men 
were  at  their  quarters,  and  when  Lieutenant  Hood  saw  his  prize  slip- 
ping from  his  grasp  his  forward  six-pounders  began  to  speak.  Some  of 
the  shells  must  have  landed,  for  the  Spaniard  ran  for  shoal  water,  appar- 
ently hoping  to  catch  the  Hawk  among  the  rocks. 

Lieutenant  Hood  was  game,  however,  and  the  light-draught  Hawk 
kept  hammering  away  wdth  her  rapid-fire  guns  and  burning  signals  for 
help  from  the  bridge.  Two  mines  east  of  Mariel  the  hunted  Spaniard 
broke  for  the  narrow  harbor  mouth,  and  Lieutenant  Hood's  jackies, 
pumping  steel  across  the  moonlit  waters,  groaned  in  the  fear  that  she 
might  escape.  The  raining  six-pound  shells  upset  the  pilot,  however, 
and  the  fleeing  ship  struck  hard  on  the  bar  at  the  west  side  of  the 
entrance  and  stuck  fast.  With  wild  cheers  the  Hawk's  crew  tumbled 
into  the  boats  and  boarded  the  prize,  but  the  steamer's  rail  was  lined 
with  riflemen  and  the  popping  Mausers  drove  the  Hawk's  tars  back  to 
their  ship. 

The  Hawk  guarded  the  prize  till  morning  and  then,  seeing  her  fast 
aground,  ran  back  to  Havana  to  report  to  the  fleet  and  to  ask  help  in 
taking  her.  The  Castine  wras  sent  down  to  aid  in  the  work,  but  the 
shore  batteries  opened  on'  the  ships  when  they  appeared.  After  two 
hours'  fruitless  fighting  the  Hood  went  back  to  the  fleet  for  re-enforce- 
ments. The  Prairie,  manned  by  Massachusetts  reserves,  was  dispatched 
to  engage  the  batteries,  and  at  1  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Captain  Train 
took  a  position  two  miles  from  Martello  tower  and  began  pitching  six- 
inch  shells  into  the  tower  and  sand  batteries.  Ten  shells  silenced  the 
three  guns  in  the  tower  and  sent  the  artillerymen  streaming  back  over 
the  hill  towrard  the  city. 

Two  gunboats  inside  the  harbor  poured  five-inch  shells  at  the  Prairie, 
but  nine  shells  from  that  ship  routed  them  and  drove  them  back  to  the 
city.  The  sand  batteries  were  harder  to  silence,  but  fifteen  shells  did 
that  wrork  and  wrecked  the  barracks  besides.  The  infantry  in  the  rifle 
pits  supporting  the  batteries  were  driven  out  by  five-inch  shells  from 
the  Castine,  W7hieh  fired  during  the  morning  and  afternoon  250  shots. 
The  Prairie  used  thirty-eight  of  her  six-inch  shells  and  about  100  six- 
pounders.  The  Castine  and  Hawk  had  taken  the  steamer,  and  the  Hawk 
then  reported  to  the  fleet  at  Havana.  The  Spanish  vessel  was  so  badly 
riddled  that  the  name  could  not  be  deciphered. 


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CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  497 


General  Miles  Assumes  Command  in  Cuba. 

On  July  13  General  Miles  arrived  at  the  front  and  assumed  persona] 
command  of  the  army  around  Santiago.  Negotiations  for  the  peaceful 
surrender  of  the  city  had  been  going  on  for  several  days  between  Gen- 
eral Shafter,  commander  of  the  American  forces,  and  General  Toral  of 
the  Spanish  army,  but  it  was  not  until  the  16th  that  a  final  agreement 
was  reached.  On  this  date  conditions  of  surrender  were  offered,  the 
principal  articles  of  which  were  as  follows: 

First,  that  all  hostilities  shall  cease  pending  the  agreement  of  final 
capitulation. 

Second,  that  the  capitulation  includes  all  the  Spanish  forces  and  the 
surrender  of  all  war  material  within  the  prescribed  limits. 

Third,  that  the  transportation  of  the  troops  to  Spain  shall  b'e  furnished 
at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  each  force  to  be  embarked  at  the  nearest 
port. 

Fourth,  that  the  Spanish  officers  shall  retain  their  side  arms  and  the 
enlisted  men  their  personal  property. 

Fifth,  that  after  the  final  capitulation  the  Spanish  forces  shall  assist  in 
the  removal  of  all  obstructions  to  navigation  in  Santiago  harbor. 

Sixth,  that  after  the  final  capitulation  the  commanding  officers  shall 
furnish  a  complete  inventory  of  all  arms  and  munitions  of  war  and  a  roster 
of  all  soldiers  in  the  district. 

Seventh,  that  the  Spanish  general  shall  be  permitted  to  take  the  military 
archives  and  records  with  him. 

Eighth,  that  all  guerrillas  and  Spanish  irregulars  shall  be  permitted  to 
remain  in  Cuba,  giving  a  parole  that  they  will  not  again  take  up  arms  against 
the  United  States  unless  properly  released  from  parole. 

Ninth,  that  the  Spanish  forces  shall  be  permitted  to  march  out  with  all 
the  honors  of  war,  depositing  their  arms  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  United 
States  in  the  future,  the  American  commissioners  to  recommend  to  their 
Government  that  the  arms  of  the  soldiers  be  returned  to  those  "who  so 
bravely  defended  them." 

By  the  terms  of  this  agreement  the  southeastern  end  of  Cuba — an 
area  of  about  5,000  square  miles — the  capital  of  the  province,  the  forts 
and  their  heavy  guns,  and  Toral's  army,  about  25,000  strong,  passed  into 
our  possession. 

The  ceremony  which  sealed  the  capitulation  of  Santiago  was  simple 


498  CONTINUED   SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

and  short.  Promptly  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  all  division  and 
brigade  commanders  and  their  staffs  reported  to  General  Shafter  at  his 
headquarters.  With  Major-General  Wheeler  at  his  left,  General  Law- 
ton  and  General  Kent  behind,  and  the  other  officers,  according  to  rank, 
following,  the  little  cavalcade,  escorted  by  a  detachment  of  Rafferty's 
mounted  squadron,  rode  around  the  base  of  San  Juan  hill  and  west  on 
the  royal  road  toward  Santiago.  Just  about  midway  between  the 
American  and  Spanish  lines  of  rifle  pits  stands  a  lordly  ceiba,  125  feet 
high  to  the  crown,  nearly  10  feet  in  diameter  at  the  trunk  and  spread- 
ing 50  feet  each  way  from  the  polished  tree  shaft.  Under  this  tree 
General  Toral  and  a  score  of  his  officers  awaited  the  Americans.  As 
General  Shafter  came  down  the  slope  toward  the  tree  General  Toral 
advanced  a  few  feet  and  raised  his  hat.  General  Shafter  returned  the 
salute,  and  then  the  quick  notes  of  a  Spanish  bugle,  marking  the  ca- 
dence of  a  march,  sounded  on  the  other  side  of  the  hedge  which  bordered 
the  road,  and  the  king's  guard,  in  column  of  twos,  came  into  view. 
Before  they  arrived  on  the  scene  the  American  cavalrymen  had  lined  up 
with  drawn  sabers  at  a  carry,  each  man  and  horse  motionless. 

The  Spanish  soldiers  came  through  a  gap  in  the  hedge  in  quick  time, 
the  Spanish  flag  leading  the  column  and  two  trumpeters  sounding  the 
advance.  The  soldiers  marched  in  excellent  order,  but  as  they  passed 
General  Shafter  their  eyes  moved  to  the  left  and  they  glanced  curiously 
at  the  men  who  had  served  as  their  targets  only  a  few  days  before. 
About  200  soldiers  and  officers  were  in  the  king's  guard,  and  the  little 
command,  after  moving  down  the  entire  front  of  the  detachment  of 
cavalry,  countermarched,  and,  swinging  into  line,  halted  facing  the 
Americans,  about  ten  yards  distant. 

For  a  few  minutes  Americans  and  Spaniards  faced  each  other,  silent 
and  motionless.  Then  the  two  trumpeters  gave  tongue  to  their  horns 
again;  a  Spanish  officer  shouted  a  command;  the  Spanish  colors  dipped 
in  a  salute;  the  Spanish  soldiers  presented  arms  and  the  Spanish  officers 
removed  their  hats.  Captain  Brett's  quick,  terse  command,  "Present 
sabers,"  rang  over  the  hillside,  and  American  swords  flashed  as  the 
sabers  swept  downward.  General  Shafter  removed  his  hat,  and  his 
officers  followed  his  example.  For  half  a  minute — and  it  seemed  longer 
—the  two  little  groups  of  armed  men,  each  representing  an  army,  re- 
mained at  "the  salute."  The  Spanish  officer  in  command  of  the  king's 
guard  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence.  His  commands  put  the  Span- 
iards in  motion,  and  they  again  passed  before  the  Americans,  who  re- 
mained at  "present  arms"  until  the  last  of  the  guard  had  marched  by. 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOB  THE  AMERICANS.  499 

The  Spaniards  marched  back  toward  Santiago  a  few  hundred  feet, 
halted,  stacked  their  Mauser  rifles  and  then,  without  arms  or  flags,  filed 
back  of  the  American  lines  and  went  into  camp  on  the  hill  just  west  of 
San  Juan  hill. 

The  formal  part  of  the  proceedings  came  to  an  end  with  this  little 
ceremony,  then  Spanish  and  American  officers  mingled,  shook  hands 
and  exchanged  compliments.  While  the  king's  guard  and  the  American 
cavalrymen  were  saluting  each  other  the  5th  army  corps  stood  on  the 
crest  of  the  parapet  of  the  rifle  pits,  forming  a  thin  line  nearly  seven 
miles  long.  Only  a  small  part  of  the  army  could  see  the  groups  of 
Spanish  and  American  soldiers  under  the  ceiba  tree,  but  every  one  of 
the  men  who  had  been  fighting  and  living  in  our  trenches  strained  his 
eyes  to  catch  a  glimpse,  if  possible,  of  the  proceedings  which  put  an  end 
to  hostilities  in  this  part  of  Cuba. 


On  the  Way  to  Santiago. 

After  a  few  minutes  of  informal  talk  General  Toral  and  his  officers 
escorted  General  Shafter  and  his  military  family  to  Santiago. 

General  Shafter's  entrance  was  hardly  the  triumphant  march  of  a 
victor,  for  the  procession  of  Americans  and  Spaniards  ambled  quietly 
and  unostentatiously  over  the  cobble  and  blue  flag  stones,  around  the 
little  public  circles  and  squares,  past  ancient  churches  and  picturesque 
ruins  of  what  once  were  the  homes  of  wealthy  Spaniards,  through  nar- 
row, alleylike  streets  to  the  Plaza  de  Armas,  with  the  cathedral,  the 
Cafe  de  Venus,  the  governor-general's  palace  and  San  Carlos  club  facing 
the  square. 

General  Toral  was  the  first  to  spring  from  his  horse,  and  he  held  out 
his  hand  and  welcomed  General  Shafter  to  the  "palace."  This  was  a  few 
minutes  after  10  o'clock. 

Here  General  Shafter  received  the  local  council  and  other  civic 
officials,  and  the  governor,  seeking  to  do  the  honors  properly,  gave  a 
luncheon  to  the  general  and  his  principal  officers. 

By  this  time  the  9th  infantry  had  marched  into  the  square  and 
formed  two  lines,  facing  the  palace,  and  the  band  had  taken  its  station 
in  the  center  of  the  broad  walk,  with  the  American  officers  grouped  in 
front.  Just  five  minutes  before  noon  General  Shafter,  General  Wheeler, 
General  Lawton  and  General  Kent  came  from  the  palace  and  joined  the 
officers,  and  Lieutenant  Miley,  General  Shafter's  chief  aid-de-camp? 


500  CONTINUED    SUCCESS   FOR  THE   AMERICANS. 

Captain  McKittrick  and  Lieutenant  Wheeler,  General  Wheeler's  son, 
swarmed  over  the  red  roof  tiles  to  the  flagstaff.  Then  followed  five 
long,  expectant,  silent  minutes.  Some  of  the  officers  held  watches  in 
their  hands,  but  most  of  them  kept  their  eyes  on  the  little  ball  of  bunt- 
ing which  cuddled  at  the  foot  of  the  flagstaff.  General  McKibben,  his 
long,  slim  figure  erect,  stood  before  the  9th  regiment,  and  when  the 
first  stroke  of  the  cathedral  clock  bell  sounded  from  the  tower  he 
whirled  around  and  gave  the  command  "Present  arms."  The  final  word 
was  spoken  just  as  the  flag  fluttered  up  toward  the  tip  of  the  staff,  and 
the  crash  of  hands  meeting  rifle  butts  and  the  swish  of  sweeping  sabers 
came  with  the  opening  notes  of  the  "Star-Spangled  Banner,"  and  every 
American  there  saluted  our  flag  as  the  wind  caught  the  folds  and  flung 
the  red,  white  and  blue  bunting  out  under  the  Cuban  sun  and  over  a 
conquered  Spanish  city. 

And  when  the  last  notes  of  the  national  air  died  away  and  the  rifle 
butts  had  come  to  an  "order"  on  the  pavement,  and  the  sabers  had  been 
slipped  into  their  sheaths,  men  whose  faces  and  throats  were  deep 
brown,  whose  cheeks  were  thin,  whose  limbs  trembled  with  fatigue  and 
Cuban  fever,  whose  heads  wore  bandages  covering  wounds  made  by 
Spanish  bullets,  but  who  stood  straight,  with  heads  erect,  were  not 
ashamed  to  wipe  from  their  eyes  the  tears  which  came  when  "old  glory" 
spread  its  protecting  folds  over  Santiago. 


Yellow  Fever  in'Shafter's  Army. 

Yellow  fever  broke  out  in  the  army  on  July  11,  spreading  with 
frightful  rapidity  among  the  men,  but  it  fortunately  proved  to  be  of  a 
mild  type,  and  in  comparatively  few  instances  was  the  dreaded  disease 
attended  with  fatal  results. 

When  the  landings  at  Baiquiri  and  Juragua  were  made  there  were 
many  men  to  be  handled,  the  facilities  were  limited  and  the  landings 
were  made  in  great  haste.  No  building  was  burned,  no  well  was  filled, 
no  sink  was  dug.  Several  of  the  enthusiastic  young  aids  seized  pretty 
vineclad  cottages  as  headquarters  for  their  respective  generals.  Cu- 
bans and  Americans  filed  into  the  empty  houses  of  the  town  without 
inquiry  as  to  their  antecedents. 

Major  LeGarde,  in  charge  of  the  beach  hospital,  recommended  earn- 
estly on  landing  that  every  building  be  burned.  Major  Wood  and  Colo- 
nel Pope  indorsed  this,  but  the  recommendation  went  by  default.  The 


CONTINUED  SUCCESS  FOR  THE  AMERICANS.  501 

camp  was  established  in  the  heart  of  the  Spanish  town  and  the  first 
yellow-fever  case  was  that  of  Burr  Mclntosh,  the  actor  and  newspaper 
man,  who  had  been  sleeping  at  General  Bates'  headquarters  in  one  of 
the  pretty  vine-covered  cottages  mentioned. 

Dr.  Lesser  and  his  wife,  "Sister  Bettina,"  the  New  York  workers  of 
the  Red  Cross,  were  among  the  first  victims,  and  Katherine  White, 
another  Eed  Cross  nurse,  wras  also  sent  to  the  yellow-fever  camp. 

After  the  fever  was  discovered  every  effort  was  made  to  check  it 
and  stamp  it  out,  but  the  camp  had  already  been  pitted  with  it.  Cases 
were  taken  out  of  the  surgical  wards  of  the  hospital  tents  and  out  of 
the  officers'  tents,  General  Duffield  being  one  of  the  victims. 

Owing  to  the  unhealthful  climate  and  the  lack  of  proper  food,  medi- 
cines, clothing,  and  shelter,  the  army  was  soon  threatened  with  an 
epidemic  of  disease,  and  it  wTas  evident  that  the  detention  of  the  troops 
in  Cuba  would  result  in  loss  of  life  to  thousands  of  brave  men.  In  order 
that  the  authorities  at  Washington  might  have  a  thorough  understand- 
ing of  the  situation,  the  officers  of  the  5th  army  corps  united  in  the 
following  letter  which  was  addressed  to  General  Shafter,  and  which  was 
transmitted  by  him  to  the  war  department  in  Washington: 

We,  the  undersigned  officers  commanding  the  various  brigades,  divi- 
sions, etc.,  of  the  army  of  occupation  in  Cuba,  are  of  the  unanimous  opinion 
that  this  army  should  be  at  once  taken  out  of  the  island  of  Cuba  and  sent 
to  some  point  on  the  northern  seacoast  of  the  United  States;  that  it  can  be 
done  without  danger  to  the  people  of  the  United  States;  that  yellow  fever 
in  the  army  at  present  is  not  epidemic;  that  there  are  only  a  few  sporadic 
cases;  but  that- the  army  is  disabled  by  malarial  fever  to  the  extent  that  its 
efficiency  is  destroyed,  and  that  it  is  in  a  condition  to  be  practically  destroyed 
by  an  epidemic  of  yellow  fever  which  is  sure  to  come  in  the  near  future. 

We  know  from  the  reports  of  competent  officers  and  from  personal 
observation  that  the  army  is  unable  to  move  into  the  interior  and  that  there 
are  no  facilities  for  such  a  move  if  attempted,  and  that  it  could  not  be 
attempted  until  too  late.  Moreover,  the  best  medical  authorities  of  the  island 
say  that  with  our  present  equipment  we  could  not  live  in  the  interior  during 
the  rainy  season  without  losses  from  malarial  fever,  which  is  almost  as 
deadly  as  yellow  fever. 

This  army  must  be  moved  at  once  or  perish.  As  the  army  can  be  safely 
moved  now  the  persons  responsible  for  preventing  such  a  move  will  be  respon- 
sible for  the  unnecessary  loss  of  many  thousands  of  lives. 

Our  opinions  are  the  result  of  careful  personal  observation,  and  they 


502  COKTINUED   SUCCESS  FO&  THE  AMERICANS. 

are  also  based  on  the  unanimous  opinion  of  our  medical  officers  with  the 
army,  who  understand  the  situation  absolutely. 

J.  FORD  KENT, 
Major-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  First  Division  Fifth  Corps. 

J.  C.  BATES, 
Major-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  Provisional  Division. 

ADNA  R.  CHAFFEE, 
Major-General  Commanding  Third  Brigade,  Second  Division. 

SAMUEL  S.  SUMNER, 
Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  First  Brigade  Cavalry. 

WILL  LUDLOW, 
Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  First  Brigade,  Second  Division. 

ADELBERT  AMES, 
Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  Third  Brigade,  First  Division. 

LEONARD  WOOD, 
Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  Commanding  the  City  of  Santiago. 

THEODORE    ROOSEVELT, 
Colonel,  Commanding  Second  Cavalry  Brigade. 

As  a  result  arrangements  were  completed  as  quickly  as  possible  for 
the  transportation  of  the  troops  to  the  United  States,  and  immunes 
were  sent  to  Santiago  for  garrison  duty  in  their  places. 

Another  Naval  Engagement. 

On  the  morning  of  July  18  the  vessels  on  blockade  duty  in  the 
vicinity  of  Manzanillo  approached  the  harbor  of  that  city  from  the 
westward.  The  Wilmington  and  Helena  entered  the  northern  channel 
towards  the  town,  the  Scorpion  and  Osceola  the  mid-channel,  and  the 
Hist,  Hornet  and  Wampatuck  the  south  channel,  the  movement  of  the 
vessels  being  so  timed  as  to  bring  them  within  effective  range  of  the 
shipping  at  about  the  same  moment.  An  attack  was  made  on  the 
Spanish  vessels  in  the  harbor,  and  after  a  deliberate  fire  lasting  about 
two  and  a  half  hours,  three  transports,  El  Gloria,  Jose  Garcia  and  La 
Purrissima  Concepcion,  were  burned  and  destroyed. 

The  Pontoon,  which  was  the  harbor  guard  and  storeship  for  ammuni- 
tion, was  burned  and  blown  up.  Three  gunboats  were  destroyed,  one 
other  was  driven  ashore  and  sunk,  and  another  was  entirely  disabled. 
No  casualties  occurred  on  board  any  of  the  American  vessels.  The 
Spanish  loss  was  over  100  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  Delgado, 
Guantanamo,  Ostralia,  Continola  and  Guardian,  gunboats  of  the  Span- 
ish navy,  were  sent  to  join  Cervera's  fleet. 


CHAPTER   LI. 
THE   INVASION   OF  PUERTO   RICO. 

General  Miles'  Landing  at  Ponce — The  American  Army  Received  witJ» 
Cheers  and  Open  Arms  by  the  Native  Puerto  Ricans — News  of  Peace 
Stops  a  Battle  and  Brings  Hostilities  to  a  Close. 

The  United  States  military  expedition,  under  command  of  Major- 
General  Nelson  A.  Miles,  commanding  the  army  of  the  United  States, 
left  Guantanamo  bay  on  the  evening  of  Thursday,  July  21,  and  was 
successfully  landed  at  the  port  of  Guanica,  island  of  Puerto  Rico,  on 
July  25. 

The  ships  left  Guantanamo  bay  suddenly  Thursday  evening  with 
the  Massachusetts,  commanded  by  Capt.  F.  J.  Higginson,  leading. 
Captain  Higginson  was  in  charge  of  the  naval  expedition,  which  con- 
sisted of  the  Columbia,  Dixie,  Gloucester  and  Yale.  General  Miles  was 
on  board  the  last-named  vessel.  The  troops  were  on  board  the  trans- 
ports Nueces,  Lampasas,  Comanche,  Rita,  Unionist,  Stillwater,  City  of 
Macon  and  Specialist. 

As  soon  as  the  expedition  was  well  under  way  General  Miles  called 
for  a  consultation,  announcing  that  he  was  determined  not  to  go  by 
San  Juan  cape,  but  by  the  Mona  passage  instead,  land  there,  surprise 
the  Spaniards  and  deceive  their  military  authorities.  The  course  was 
then  changed,  and  the  Dixie  was  sent  to  warn  General  Brooke,  who  was 
on  his  way  with  his  army  from  the  United  States,  with  instructions  to 
meet  General  Miles  at  Cape  San  Juan. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  July  25  the  Gloucester,  in  charge  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Commander Wainwright,  steamed  into  Guanica  harbor  in  order 
to  reconnoiter  the  place.  With  the  fleet  waiting  outside,  the  gallant 
little  fighting  yacht  braved  the  mines  which  were  supposed  to  be  in 
the  harbor,  and  found  that  the*e  were  five  fathoms  of  water  close  in 
shore. 

The  Spaniards  were  taken  completely  by  surprise.  Almost  the  first 
they  knew  of  the  approach  of  the  army  of  invasion  was  in  the  announce- 
ment contained  in  the  firing  of  a  gun  from  the  Gloucester,  demanding 
that  the  Spaniards  haul  down  their  flag,  which  was  floating  from  a 
flagstaff  in  front  of  a  blockhouse  standing  to  the  east  of  the  village. 

503 


504  THE    INVASION   OF   PUERTO   RICO. 

* 

The  first  couple  of  three-pounders  was  fired  into  the  hills  right  and 
left  of  the  bay,  purposely  avoiding  the  town,  lest  the  projectiles  should 
hurt  women  and  children.  The  Gloucester  then  hove  to  within  about 
600  yards  of  the  shore,  and  lowered  a  launch  having  on  board  a  Colt 
rapid-fire  gun  and  thirty  men  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Huse, 
which  was  sent  ashore  without  encountering  opposition. 

Quartermaster  Beck  thereupon  told  Yoenian  Lacy  to  haul  down  the 
Spanish  flag,  which  wTas  done,  and  they  then  raised  on  the  flagstaff  the 
first  United  States  flag  to  float  over  Puerto  Rican  soil. 

Spaniards  Open  Fire. 

Suddenly  about  thirty  Spaniards  opened  fire  with  Mauser  rifles  on 
the  American  party.  Lieutenant  Huse  and  his  men  responded  with 
great  gallantry,  the  Colt  gun  doing  effective  work. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  Spaniards  fired  on  the  Americans  the 
Gloucester  opened  fire  on  the  enemy  with  all  her  three  and  six  pounders 
which  could  be  brought  to  bear,  shelling  the  town  and  also  dropping 
shells  into  the  hills  to  the  west  of  Guanica,  where  a  number  of  Spanish 
cavalry  were  to  be  seen  hastening  toward  the  spot  where  the  Americans 
had  landed. 

Lieutenant  Huse  then  threw  up  a  little  fort,  which  he  named  Fort 
Wainwright,  and  laid  barbed  wire  in  the  street  in  front  of  it  in  order 
to  repel  the  expected  cavalry  attack.  The  lieutenant  also  mounted  the 
Colt  gun  and  signaled  for  re-enforcements,  which  were  sent  from  the 
Gloucester. 

Presently  a  few  of  the  Spanish  cavalry  joined  those  who  were  fight- 
ing in  the  street  of  Guanica,  but  the  Colt  killed  four  of  them.  By  that 
time  the  Gloucester  had  the  range  of  the  town  and  of  the  blockhouse 
and  all  her  guns  were  spitting  fire,  the  doctor  and  the  paymaster  help- 
ing to  serve  the  guns. 

Soon  afterward  white-coated  galloping  cavalrymen  were  seen  climb- 
ing the  hills  to  the  westward  and  the  foot  soldiers  were  scurrying  along 
the  fences  from  the  town. 

By  9:45,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  guerrilla  shots,  the  town  was 
won  and  the  enemy  was  driven  out  of  its  neighborhood.  The  Red  Cross 
nurses  on  the  Lampasas  and  a  detachment  of  regulars  were  the  first 
to  land  from  the  transports. 

After  Lieutenant  Huse  had  captured  the  place  he  deployed  his  small 
force  into  the  suburbs.  But  he  was  soon  re-inforced  by  the  regulars, 


THE   INVASION  OF  PUERTO   RICO.  505 

who  were  followed  by  Company  C  of  the  6th  Illinois  and  then  by  other 
troops  in  quick  succession.  All  the  boats  of  the  men-of-war  and  trans- 
ports were  used  in  the  work  of  landing  the  troops,  each  steam  launch 
towing  four  or  five  boats  loaded  with  soldiers.  But  everything  pro- 
gressed in  an  orderly  manner  and  according  to  the  plans  of  General 
Miles.  The  latter  went  ashore  about  noon,  after  stopping  to  board  the 
Gloucester  and  thank  Lieutenant-Commander  Wainwright  for  his  gal- 
lant action. 

On  Wednesday,  Jirav  27,  the  Wasp,  Annapolis,  and  Dixie  steamed 
from  the  port  of  Gu%ica  to  Ponce,  prepared,  if  necessary,  to  shell 
the  town.  The  Wasp  was  the  first  to  arrive,  and  she  found  the  people 
of  the  town  waiting,  as  the  news  of  her  coming  had  preceded  her.  The 
Spanish  garrison,  350  strong,  was  paralyzed  with  fear  and  wished  to 
surrender  or  leave,  but  Colonel  San  Martin,  who  was  in  command,  de- 
clared that  he  could  not  surrender. 

The  Wasp  steamed  up  close  to  the  shore,  with  all  her  guns  bearing 
on  the  town,  and  found,  instead  of  an  enemy  prepared  to  give  battle,  a 
great  congregation  of  people  awaiting  their  arrival.  Lieutenant  Ward 
and  Executive  Officer  Wells  sent  Ensign  Rowland  Curtin  with  four  men 
ashore,  bearing  a  flag  of  truce.  They  suspected  treachery  on  the  part 
of  the  Spaniards,  and  the  gunners  of  the  Wasp  stood  ready  to  fire  at  a 
second's  warning.  Ensign  Curtin  put  for  the  beach  as  though  he  had  no 
suspicion  of  treachery,  and  as  he  stepped  from  the  boat  the  people 
crowded  around  him,  forcing  presents  upon  him  and  his  men,  and  wel- 
coming them  wTith  rousing  cheers. 

A  message  was  sent  to  the  Spanish  commander,  demanding  the  im- 
mediate and  unconditional  surrender  of  the  city,  and  Ensign  Curtin 
returned  to  the  Wasp  for  instructions.  In  a  short  time  a  reply  was 
received  from  Colonel  San  Martin,  offering  to  surrender  upon  the  con- 
ditions that  the  garrison  should  be  permitted  to  retire;  that  the  civil 
government  remain  in  force;  that  the  police  and  fire  brigade  be  per- 
mitted to  patrol  without  arms,  and  that  the  captain  of  the  port  should 
not  be  made  a  prisoner.  He  also  imposed  the  condition  that  the  Ameri- 
can soldiers  should  not  advance  from  the  town  within  forty-eight  hours. 
Commander  Davis,  who  was  anxious  to  complete  the  surrender,  ac- 
cepted these  conditions  and  the  armor-plated  soldiers  and  policemen 
then  fled  to  the  hills.  The  Spaniards  left  150  rifles  and  14,000  rounds  of 
ammunition  behind  them. 

Lieutenant  Haines,  commanding  the  marines  of  the  Dixie,  went 
ashore  and  hoisted  the  American  flag  over  the  custom-house  at  Port  of 


506  THE    INVASION   OF   PUERTO   RICO. 

Ponce  amid  the  cheers  of  the  people.  After  this  Lieutenant  Murdoch 
and  Surgeon  Heiskell  got  into  a  carriage  and  drove  to  the  city  proper, 
two  miles  distant,  where  they  received  a  tremendous  ovation.  The 
streets  were  lined  with  men,  women  and  children,  white  and  black. 
Everybody  was  dancing  up  and  down  and  yelling:  "Viva  los  Ameri- 
canos!" "Viva  Puerto  Kico  Libre!" 

The  storekeepers  offered  their  whole  stock  to  the  officers,  and  de- 
clared that  they  would  take  no  pay  for  anything.  In  the  Plaza  of  Jus- 
tice the  people  tore  down  the  wooden-gilded  crown  and  would  have 
trampled  upon  it  if  the  officers  had  not  interfered  and  saved  it  as  a 
souvenir. 

When  General  Wilson  landed,  the  firemen  lined  up  to  receive  him, 
and  the  local  band  played  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner."  Everybody 
took  off  his  hat  and  cheered.  The  custom-house  was  taken  for  the 
American  headquarters.  The  troops  landed  during  the  day  were  the 
Second  and  Third  Wisconsin  and  the  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  regiments. 

When  the  ships  arrived  all  the  people  who  could  get  small  boats 
rowed  out  to  them  and  offered  to  pilot  them  in.  General  Wilson  at  once 
started  in  to  learn  the  condition  of  affairs.  He  sent  men  into  the  town 
immediately  and  put  a  sentry  at  each  foreign  consulate.  He  also  de- 
tailed a  detachment  of  soldiers  to  the  wrork  of  guarding  the  roads. 

General  Wilson  and  General  Miles  agreed  that  the  conditions  of  the 
surrender  relating  to  the  movement  of  troops  were  not  binding. 

Despite  the  arrival  of  the  troops  the  celebration  in  the  town  went  on. 
All  the  Spanish  stores  were  closed,  but  the  Puerto  Ricans  and  the  for- 
eigners kept  open  house.  Women  and  men  alike  were  all  dressed  in 
their  finest  attire. 

Miles  Issues  His  Proclamation. 

At  10  o'clock  General  Miles  issued  his  proclamation  to  the  inhabi- 
tants, which  was  as  follows: 

In  the  prosecution  of  the  war  against  the  kingdom  of  Spain  by  the  people 
of  the  United  States,  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  justice  and  humanity,  its  mili- 
tary forces  have  come  to  occupy  the  island  of  Puerto  Rico.  They  come  bear- 
ing the  banners  of  freedom,  inspired  by  a  noble  purpose,  to  seek  the  enemies 
of  our  government  and  of  yours  and  to  destroy  or  capture  all  in  armed  resist- 
ance. They  bring  you  the  fostering  arms  of  a  free  people,  whose  greatest 
power  is  justice  and  humanity  to  all  living  within  their  fold.  Hence,  they 
release  you  from  your  former  political  relations,  and  it  is  hoped  this  will 


• 


THE  INVASION  OF  PUERTO   RICO. 

be  followed  by  your  cheerful  acceptance  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States. 

The  chief  object  of  the  American  military  forces  will  be  to  overthrow 
the  armed  authorities  of  Spain  and  give  the  people  of  your  beautiful  island 
the  largest  measure  of  liberty  consistent  with  this  military  occupation.  They 
have  not  come  to  make  war  on  the  people  of  the  country,  who  for  centuries 
have  been  oppressed,  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  bring  protection  not  only 
to  yourselves  but  to  your  property,  promote  your  prosperity  and  bestow  the 
immunities  and  blessings  of  our  enlightenment  and  liberal  institutions  and 
government. 

It  is  not  their  purpose  to  interfere  with  the  existing  laws  and  customs 
which  are  wholesome  and  beneficial  to  the  people  so  long  as  they  conform 
to  the  rules  of  the  military  administration,  order  and  justice.  This  is  not 
a  war  of  devastation  and  desolation,  but  one  to  give  all  within  the  control 
of  the  military  and  naval  forces  the  advantages  and  blessings  of  enlightened 
civilization. 

In  the  afternoon  General  Miles  and  his  staff  were  invited  to  the 
city  hall  to  see  the  city  officials.  The  city  hall  was  surrounded  by  a 
vast  crowd  of  people,  and  a  band  was  stationed  in  the  park.  When  the 
carriages  of  General  Miles  and  his  staff  appeared  the  band  played  "Lo, 
the  Conquering  Hero  Comes."  General  Miles  appeared  upon  the  bal- 
cony of  the  city  hall  and  took  off  his  hat.  The  crowd  cheered  him 
wildly,  and  the  band  played  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  "Marching 
Through  Georgia,"  and  other  patriotic  airs. 

General  Miles  talked  to  the  officials  and  told  them  to  remain  in 
office.  He  said  he  wanted  things  to  go  on  just  as  before,  but  there 
must  be  no  oppression.  He  repeated  the  words  of  his  proclamation, 
and  said  that  Spaniards  who  had  arms  must  give  them  up;  if  not,  they 
would  be  regarded  as  bandits,  and  not  as  soldiers,  and  treated  accord- 
ingly. 

On  August  5  the  city  of  Guayama,  the'  principal  port  on  the  south- 
eastern coast,  was  captured  after  a  sharp  skirmish  with  400  Spaniards. 
The  4th  Ohio,  Colonel  Coit,  and  the  3rd  Illinois,  Colonel  Bennitt,  with 
two  dynamite  guns,  all  under  command  of  General  Haynes,  composed 
the  expedition  which  marched  against  the  town  from  headquarters  at 
Arroyo.  When  the  Americans  had  reached  a  point  about  three  miles 
from  the  latter  place  they  were  viciously  attacked  on  both  their  right 
and  left  flanks.  Colonel  Coit's  Ohio  troops,  who  were  leading  the  ad- 
vance, were  splendidly  handled  and  did  telling  work  against  the  enemy. 

The  Spaniards  for  a  time  managed  to  conceal  themselves  behind 


508  THE   INVASION   OF   PUERTO   RICO. 

barricades,  but  the  Americans  soon  got  at  them  and  poured  a  terrific 
fire  in  their  direction.  It  was  impossible  for  the  Spaniards  long  to 
withstand  this  fire,  and  they  soon  retreated. 

As  the  American  troops  entered  the  town  they  found  it  practically 
deserted.  All  of  the  houses  had  been  closed,  and  the  Ohio  regiment 
raised  its  colors  over  the  town  hall. 

A  crowd  of  citizens  soon  gathered  about  the  invading  troops  and 
welcomed  them  with  enthusiasm.  While  this  demonstration  was  under 
way  the  Spaniards  returned,  making  a  heavy  attack  on  the  town  from 
the  north. 

The  Fourth  Ohio  was  sent  out  to  engage  the  enemy  and  a  hot  fight 
between  the  two  bodies  of  troops  took  place  during  the  next  two  hours. 

Two  dynamite  guns  finally  were  put  in  position  by  the  Americans 
and  five  shots  were  fired.  These  completely  silenced  the  enemy  and 
they  withdrew,  leaving  the  town  in  possession  of  our  forces. 

Coamo  was  captured  on  August  9,  after  a  dashing  fight,  in  which 
the  16th  Pennsylvania  volunteers  won  honors,  holding  the  lead  in 
General  Wilson's  advance  on  the  town.  The  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy's  outposts  began  at  8:30  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  American 
troops  were  armed  with  Krag-Jorgenson  rifles  and  were  supported  by 
artillery.  They  went  into  the  fight  with  spirit  under  the  eye  of  General 
Ernst,  and  routed  the  enemy,  killing  twelve  of  them,  including  the 
Spanish  commander,  Colonel  Illeroa,  capturing  the  town,  and  taking 
200  prisoners.  No  Americans  lost  their  lives,  but  six  were  wounded, 
one  seriously. 

General  Wilson's  troops  destroyed  the  Spanish  batteries  on  the 
heights  facing  Aibonito,  on  Friday,  August  12,  after  a  brilliant  advance 
of  the  artillery.  The  first  firing  by  the  battery  was  at  a  range  of  2,300 
yards,  wThich  silenced  the  Spanish  guns.  Then  a  portion  of  the  battery, 
under  Lieutenant  John  P.  Haines,  of  the  4th  artillery,  was  moved 
forward  within  1,000  yards  of  the  enemy's  rifle  pits  and  there  drove 
them  out  and  captured  a  blockhouse. 

The  firing  of  the  Spanish  riflemen  and  artillerists  was  very  wild, 
reaching  the  American  infantry  in  the  hills  instead  of  the  attacking 
battery.  Corporal  Swanson  of  the  3rd  Wisconsin  volunteers  was 
killed  by  a  shell  which  fell  in  the  midst  of  the  Wisconsin  men,  and  the 
same  missile  wounded  three  others. 


THE   INVASION   OF  PUERTO   RICO.  509 

News  of  Peace  Stops  a  Battle. 

The  news  that  peace  was  at  hand  reached  Guayama  on  August  13 
just  in  time  to  interrupt  a  battle.  General  Brooke's  force,  in  three 
strong  columns,  had  begun  an  advance  toward  Cayey  to  form  a  junction 
there  with  General  Wilson's  division,  which  had  been  making  its  way 
along  the  main  road  from  Ponce  to  San  Juan. 

Three  miles  out  General  Brooke's  troops  came  upon  a  force  of 
Spanish  occupying  strong  intrenchments  on  the  top  of  a  mountain. 
Light  battery  B,  Pennsylvania  artillery,  unlimbered  its  guns,  loaded 
them  with  shells  and  had  just  received  the  order  to  commence  firing 
when  a  message  from  General  Miles  announcing  peace  was  received  on 
the  field  over  a  military  telegraph  wire.  The  battery  immediately  was 
signaled  to  cease  action,  to  the  surprise  of  all  the  men,  who  were  keyed 
up  for  battle.  The  news  that  the  war  was  over  spread  rapidly  among 
the  soldiers,  causing  general  disappointment,  for  the  officers  could  do 
nothing  but  leave  the  battle  unfought  and  withdraw  their  troops.  All 
returned  to  their  former  camp  at  Guayama. 

The  signing  of  the  treaty  of  peace  by  the  United  States  and  Spain 
came  too  soon  to  suit  the  commanders  of  the  invading  army  in  Puerto 
Rico.  Their  plans  had  been  perfectly  formed  and  were  almost  executed. 
The  simultaneous  advance  of  the  four  divisions  toward  San  Juan  was 
interrupted  in  the  very  midst  of  the  successful  movement.  If  it  could 
have  been  carried  out  as  contemplated  it  would  have  been  an  invaluable 
lesson  to  the  Puerto  Ricans,  quelling  such  pro-Spanish  sentiment  as 
existed  and  rendering  American  occupation  and  government  of  the 
island  a  comparatively  simple  matter. 

General  Miles  felt  this  and  regretted  that  he  was  not  permitted  to 
complete  the  masterly  military  movement  so  carefully  begun  and  so 
successfully  carried  forward.  The  occupation  of  Puerto  Rico  was  made 
with  a  loss  to  the  Americans  of  two  killed  and  thirty-seven  wounded. 


CHAPTER   LIT. 
THE  SURRENDER   OF   MANILA. 

Landing  of  General  Merritt  at  Manila — The  German  Fleet  Warned  by 
Admiral  Dewey — The  Ladrone  Islands — Fierce  Battle  in  Darkness 
and  Storm — Foreign  Warships  Notified  of  the  Attack — Combined 
Assault  by  Dewey  and  Merritt — The  City  Surrenders. 

In  the  meantime,  far  away  in  the  Philippines,  Admiral  Dewey  was 
sustaining  the  reputation  he  made  at  the  outbreak  of  hostilities.  After 
the  battle  of  Manila  there  remained  but  three  Spanish  warships  in 
Pacific  waters.  One  of  them  was  in  dry  dock  at  Hongkong  and  the 
two  others  were  in  hiding  in  the  waters  of  the  Philippine  group.  The 
admiral  dispatched  the  gunboat  Concord  and  a  cruiser  to  locate  and 
destroy  the  two  Spanish  vessels.  The  Concord  soon  discovered  the 
Argos,  and  after  a  lively  battle  lasting  thirty  minutes  the  Spanish 
ship  was  sunk  with  all  on  board  and  her  colors  flying.  Not  a  man  was 
lost  or  injured  on  the  Concord,  nor  did  the  ship  sustain  any  damage. 

The  first  American  army  to  sail  for  foreign  shores  left  San  Francisco 
May  25.  At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Brigadier-General  Anderson  sig- 
naled from  the  Australia  for  the  City  of  Pekin  and  the  City  of  Sydney 
to  get  under  way.  The  signal  was  seen  from  the  shore,  and  the  waiting 
crowds  cheered  wildly.  No  time  was  lost  on  board  the  transports. 
The  crews  worked  with  a  will  and  in  a  short  time  the  anchors  were  up 
and  the  vessels  were  under  way.  Then  the  2,500  soldiers  who  had  been 
impatiently  awaiting  the  signal  to  start  climbed  to  the  rigging  and 
swarmed  all  over  the  big  ships,  shouting  and  cheering  like  mad. 

The  big  transports  steamed  slowly  along  the  water  front,  and  the 
crowd  on  shore  raced  along  to  keep  them  in  sight.  The  noise  made  by 
the  patriotic  citizens  on  sea  and  shore  was  something  terrible.  Every 
steam  whistle  in  the  city  appeared  to  be  blowing,  cannon  were  fired, 
and  the  din  lasted  fully  an  hour. 

The  three  transports  carried  close  on  to  2,500  men.  The  expedition, 
which  was  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Anderson,  con- 
sisted of  four  companies  of  regulars,  under  command  of  Major  Robe;  the 
First  Regiment  California  Volunteers,  Colonel  Smith;  the  First  Regi- 

510 


THE  SURRENDER   OF   MANILA.  511 

ment  Oregon  Volunteers,  Colonel  Summers;  a  battalion  of  fifty  heavy 
artillery,  Major  Gary;  about  100  sailors,  and  eleven  naval  officers.  The 
fleet  was  loaded  with  supplies  to  last  a  year,  and  carried  a  big  cargo  of 
ammunition  and  naval  stores  for  Admiral  Dewey's  fleet. 

Four  transports  bearing  about  4,000  men  passed  through  the  Golden 
Gate  shortly  after  1  o'clock  on  the  15th  of  June,  amid  scenes  of  great 
enthusiasm  and  patriotism  unequaled  in  the  history  of  San  Francisco. 
The  four  vessels  which  carried  the  troops  were  the  China,  Colon,  Zea- 
landia  and  Senator.  The  fleet  was  accompanied  down  the  bay  by  a 
large  number  of  tugboats  and  bay  steamers. 

It  was  a  few  minutes  past  1  o'clock  when  the  China  hoisted  the  blue 
Peter  and  warned  the  fleet  to  get  under  way.  The  Senator  had  slipped 
into  the  stream  and  straightened  out  for  the  run  to  Manila.  When  she 
reached  the  stream  the  China  swung  away  from  her  anchorage  and 
started  down  the  bay,  followed  by  the  Colon  and  Zealandia  and  a  long 
line  of  tugboats  and  steamers. 

At  1 :30  p.  m.  the  fleet  was  off  Lombard  street  and  a  few  minutes  later 
it  was  steaming  past  Meiggs'  wharf.  Thousands  of  people,  attracted  by 
the  blowing  of  whistles,  rushed  to  points  of  vantage  on  the  city  front 
and  cheered  the  departing  boats.  Soldiers  crowded  the  fort  at  the 
point  and  shouted  and  waved  their  hats  as  the  squadron  passed  out 
through  the  Golden  Gate.  A  heavy  fog  lay  outside  the  bar,  and  before 
2  o'clock  the  transports  were  lost  in  the  mists. 

Assigned  to  the  China,  General  Greene's  flagship,  and  the  largest, 
finest  and  fastest  vessel  of  the  fleet,  was  the  First  Regiment  Colorado 
Volunteer  Infantry,  1,022  men ;  half  a  battalion  of  the  Eighteenth  United 
States  Infantry,  150  men,  and  a  detachment  of  United  States  engineers, 
20  men. 

The  Color!  took  four  companies  of  the  Twenty-third  Infantry  and  two 
companies  of  the  Eighteenth  Infantry,  both  of  the  regular  army,  and 
Battery  A  of  the  Utah  Artillery.  In  the  battery  were  twelve  men  and  in 
each  of  the  infantry  companies  seventy-five  men,  besides  the  officers, 
making  less  than  600  military  passengers.  The  control  of  the  ship  was 
given  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clarence  W.  Bailey,  of  the  Eighteenth 
Infantry. 

On  the  Zealandia  were  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  and  part 
of  Battery  B  of  the  Utah  Volunteer  Artillery.  With  the  gunners  went 
two  Maxim  fighting  machines,  which  as  a  precautionary  measure  were 
placed  ready  for  action  in  the  bow  of  the  vessel.  In  all  there  were  640 
privates  and  60  officers  on  board. 


512  THE   SURRENDER  OF   MANILA. 

On  the  steamer  Senator  was  the  First  Regiment  of  Nebraska  Volun- 
teers, numbering  1,023  men  and  officers. 

Took  the  Ladrones. 

The  United  States  cruiser  Charleston,  with  the  troopships  City  of 
Sydney,  City  of  Pekin  and  Australia,  arrived  off  Cavite  on  the  30th  of 
June.  They  left  Honolulu,  June  4,  with  sealed  orders  from  Wash- 
ington to  capture  the  island  of  Guam,  chief  of  the  Ladrone  Islands, 
and  the  seat  of  Spanish  government. 

The  American  cruiser  and  the  transports  arrived  at  Guam  on  the 
morning  of  June  20.  They  passed  the  unoccupied  Fort  Santiago  and 
advanced  opposite  Fort  Santa  Cruz.  The  Charleston  then  fired  twelve 
shots,  but,  receiving  no  response  from  the  fort,  it  steamed  on  to  Port 
Luis  de  Appa,  where  Agana,  the  capital  of  the  Ladrone  Islands,  is 
situated. 

That  afternoon  the  captain  of  the  port  and  the  health  officer  came 
aboard  the  Charleston  and  were  informed  to  their  astonishment  that 
they  were  prisoners  of  war.  They  had  not  heard  that  war  existed 
between  the  United  States  and  Spain,  and  they  had  thought  the  firing 
by  the  Charleston  was  a  salute  of  courtesy.  They  said  Governor 
Marina  regretted  that  he  had  no  powder  for  his  cannon  with  which 
to  return  the  salute.  Those  surprised  Spaniards  were  thereupon  sent 
ashore  to  request  the  Governor  of  the  islands  to  come  on  board  the 
Charleston.  In  reply  the  Governor  sent  his  official  interpreter  and 
secretary  to  say  to  the  Americans  that  the  Spanish  laws  forbade  him 
to  leave  the  shore  during  his  term  of  office.  However,  he  invited 
Captain  Glass  of  the  Charleston  to  a  conference  on  shore  the  next 
morning  and  guaranteed  his  safety.  Captain  Glass  sent  Lieutenant 
Braunersreuther  to  meet  the  Governor  and  deliver  an  ultimatum  de- 
manding the  surrender  of  the  Ladrones,  giving  the  Governor  thirty 
minutes  in  which  to  consider  the  matter.  Lieutenant  Braunersreuther 
was  accompanied  by  two  companies  of  Oregon  Volunteers. 

The  governor  surrendered  gracefully  within  the  allotted  time. 
Thereupon  forty-six  marines  from  the  Charleston  landed  and  disarmed 
the  108  Spanish  soldiers,  confiscated  their  116  rifles  and  10,000  rounds 
of  ammunition.  The  natives  were  allowed  to  retain  their  weapons. 
They  all  showed  delight  in  renouncing  Spanish  authority,  and  tore  off 
the  Spanish  regalia  from  their  uniforms  with  many  expressions  of  satis- 
faction. 


SCENE    IN    THE    TURRET    OF    A    BATTLESHIP    DURING 
AN  ENGAGEMENT 

This  illustration  shows  the  gunners  at  work,  and  also  the  ammunition  as  it  comes  from  the  ship's 
magazines.  Usually  8  men  handle  the  two  turret  guns,  each  one  of  whom  has  his  particular  duty  to  perform. 
The  shells  and  powder  are  hoisted  from  the  magazines  by  quick  elevators,  the  weight  being  too  great  for  men 
to  handle,  and  all  the  loading  is  also  done  by  machinery. 


NICKEL  STEEL  INGOT  FOR  TUBE  OF  A  J6'INCH  BREECH' 

LOADING  RIFLE 

This  enormous  weapon  will  be,  when  completed,  60  feet  long:,  weighing  120  tons,  and  will  throw  a  pro- 
jectile of  2,300  pounds  a  distance  of  15  miles.     Its  effective  range  is  12  miles. 


THE  SURRENDER   OF   MANILA.  515 

General  Merritt  arrived  in  Manila  bay  on  July  25,  and  after  report- 
ing to  Admiral  Dewey  assumed  command  of  the  American  troops  in 
the  Philippines.  He  lost  no  time  in  making  himself  familiar  with  the 
situation,  and  established  headquarters  at  the  Cavite  arsenal. 

The  German  Fleet  at  Manila. 

/ 

As  soon  as  the  American  blockade  of  Manila  was  declared,  Ger- 
many began  to  enlarge  her  fleet  in  those  waters  until  all  but  three  of 
the  German  men-of-war  on  the  Asiatic  station  were  either  in  Manila  bay 
or  its  vicinity.  The  German  naval  officers  took  pains  to  show  particular 
friendliness  towards  the  Spaniards,  as  for  example  in  saluting  the 
Spanish  flag  at  Manila  on  the  arrival  of  every  additional  ship.  The 
German  officers  visited  the  Spanish  fortifications  and  trenches,  and  the 
Manila  newspapers  asserted  that  the  presence  before  the  city  of  so 
many  German  ships  enabled  the  Spanish  authorities  and  the  people  of 
Manila  to  regard  the  American  fleet  with  complacency. 

On  June  27  the  McCulloch  met  the  Irene,  one  of  the  German  fleet, 
at  Corregidor  island,  preparing  to  enter  the  bay,  and  signaled  to  her: 
"We  wish  to  communicate  with  you."  The  Irene  paid  no  attention  to 
the  signal,  and  proceeded  on  her  way  until  a  small  boat  was  sent  out 
to  her  from  the  McCulloch.  The  captain  of  the  Irene  explained  the 
matter  by  saying  that  he  had  misunderstood  the  signal.  The  action 
of  the  Irene  in  interfering  with  the  attack  by  the  insurgent  vessel, 
Filipinas,  on  the  Spanish  garrison  at  Isla  Grande,  in  Subig  bay,  was 
in  line  with  the  attitude  adopted  by  the  German  naval  officers. 

The  Filipinas,  a  steamer  of  about  700  tons,  loaded  with  a  half  cargo 
of  tobacco,  was  in  hiding  in  the  coves  around  Subig  bay.  She  was 
owned  and  officered  by  Spaniards,  but  her  crew  was  a  native  one.  The 
crew  mutinied  and  killed  the  twelve  officers.  They  then  took  charge 
of  the  ship  and  hoisted  the  insurgent  flag.  On  the  shore  of  Subig  bay, 
and  chiefly  in  the  town  of  Subig,  were  400  Spanish  soldiers.  As  the 
insurgent  forces  on  the  land  began  to  close  in  on  them  they  fled  in  a 
body  to  the  Isla  de  Grande,  near  the  mouth  of  Subig  bay,  taking  with 
them  100  sick  and  about  100  women.  They  retained  their  small  arms 
and  had  only  one  Maxim  gun.  The  insurgents  hoped  to  starve  them 
into  submission.  About  this  time  the  Filipina's  incident  occurred, 
whereby  she  passed  from  the  Spanish  to  the  insurgents.  Two  hundred 
insurgent  soldiers  took  the  ship  and  approached  the  island  and  fired 
on  the  Spaniards.  Their  firing  was  ineffective,  but  after  awhile  the 


516  THE   SURRENDER   OF   MANILA. 

Spaniards,  probably  realizing  the  ultimate  hopelessness  of  their  posi- 
tion, hoisted  the  white  flag.  At  almost  the  same. time  the  German 
cruiser  approached  from  within  the  bay  and  the  Spaniards  hauled  down 
the  white  flag,  for  they  evidently  had  reason  to  hope  for  interference 
by  the  Germans.  The  German  ship  at  once  advanced  to  the  Filipinas 
and  said  that  the  flag  she  flew  was  not  recognized,  and  if  it  were  not 
at  once  hauled  down  and  a  white  one  substituted  she  would  be  taken 
with  her  crew  to  Manila  as  prisoners.  The  Filipinas  at  once  hauled 
down  the  insurgent  flag,  hoisted  the  white  one  and  started  immediately 
south  to  Manila  bay.  All  this  happened  July  6.  She  arrived  off  the 
American  flagship  late  in  the  evening  and  the  insurgents  at  once  re- 
ported the  matter  to  the  admiral. 

Dewey  Protects  the  Insurgents. 

Admiral  Dewey  sent  the  insurgent  ship  into  a  safe  anchorage.  At 
12  o'clock  midnight  the  Raleigh  and  Concord  quietly  drew  up  their 
anchors  and  left  the  bay.  They  proceeded  at  once  to  Subig  bay,  fired 
several  times  on  the  island,  where  the  Spaniards  were,  and  the  latter 
promptly  surrendered.  The  Irene  had  disappeared  when  they  arrived, 
although  she  had  been  in  Subig  bay  for  several  days  for  the  expressed 
purpose  of  protecting  German  interests.  The  Concord  then  returned 
to  report  to  Admiral  Dewey  and  find  out  what  should  be  done  with 
the  600  Spaniards  captured.  The  Raleigh  remained  at  Subig  on  guard. 
During  the  7th  the  insurgent  leader,  Mr.  Seyba,  came  out  to  the  flagship 
for  permission  to  take  the  Filipinas  and  go  to  Subig  for  the  purpose  of 
capturing  the  island.  The  admiral  told  him  that  it  had  already  been 
done.  Seyba  went  aboard  the  Filipinas  with  a  strong  force  of  men  and 
left  the  harbor. 

The  Concord,  when  she  returned  to  report  the  matter  to  the  admiral, 
bore  a  letter  from  Captain  Coghlan  of  the  Raleigh  begging  that  the 
Spaniards  captured  be  made  American  prisoners,  and  that  they  be  not 
turned  over  to  the  insurgents,  as  Admiral  Dewey's  original  orders  de- 
manded. The  Concord  was  sent  back  with  instructions  to  turn  the  pris- 
oners over  to  Aguinaldo,  but  he  exacted  an  ironclad  promise  that  they 
should  be  well  and  carefully  cared  for. 

Finally  Admiral  Dewey  sent  an  officer  to  the  German  flagship  with  a 
request  that  Admiral  Diederichs  make  a  statement  of  the  German 
attitude  in  the  matter  of  the  blockade  of  Manila.  The  German  admiral 
sent  an  immediate  explanation.  Two  days  later,  however,  he  sent  a 


THE  SUEBENDEB  OF   MANILA.  517 

protest  to  Admiral  Dewey  against  the  action  of  American  officers  in 
boarding  German  ships  coming  to  Manila  from  Marivles.  He  cited  the 
incident  of  the  McCulloch  and  the  Irene  at  Corregidor. 

Admiral  Dewey  replied  to  this  very  courteously  but  very  firmly.  He 
pointed  out  to  the  German  admiral  that  international  law  gave  to  the 
commander  of  a  blockading  fleet  authority  to  communicate  with  all 
ships  entering  a  blockaded  port.  As  international  law  permitted  war- 
ships to  fly  any  flag  they  chose  in  order  to  deceive  the  enemy,  the  nation- 
ality of  vessels  entering  the  bay  could  not  be  absolutely  determined 
without  communicating  with  them.  For  the  German  admiral's  further 
information  Admiral  Dewey  told  him  that  if  Germany  was  at  peace 
with  the  United  States  the  German  naval  officers  would  have  to  change 
their  methods,  and  that  if  Germany  was  at  war  with  his  nation  he  de- 
sired to  know  it  at  once  in  order  that  he  might  act  accordingly. 

The  Philippine  insurgents  under  Aguinaldo  continued  their  savage 
attacks,  and  gradually  closed  in  on  the  city  of  Manila.  They  were 
working  independently  of  the  American  forces  under  General  Merritt, 
and  it  was  apparent  that  they  did  not  intend  to  recognize  American 
authority.  The  Spanish  residents  of  Manila,  fearing  that  the  capture 
of  the  city  by  Aguinaldo  would  be  followed  by  pillage  and  slaughter, 
appealed  to  the  captain-general  to  surrender  to  the  American  forces, 
but  that  official  was  determined  to  resist,  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that 
resistance  could  only  delay  defeat. 

Battle  in  a  Storm. 

On  the  night  of  July  31  the  soil  of  the  Philippines  was  drenched 
with  American  blood.  Our  troops  were  strengthening  their  position 
near  the  Spanish  fort  guarding  the  southern  approach  to  Manila,  in  the 
suburbs  of  that  city.  The  Spanish,  knowing  their  situation  to  be 
growing  every  day  more  hopeless,  made  a  concerted  sortie  on  the  Amer- 
ican right  flank,  held  by  the  10th  Pennsylvania  troops.  The  scene  of 
the  battle  was  at  a  place  called  Malate,  which  is  located  half  way  be- 
tween Cavite  and  the  city  of  Manila.  Here  General  Greene  wras  in 
command  of  4,000  men.  The  arrival  of  the  third  expedition  filled  the 
Spaniards  with  rage,  and  they  determined  to  give  battle  before  Camp 
Dewey  could  be  re-enforced.  In  the  midst  of  a  raging  typhoon,  with 
a  tremendous  downpour  of  rain,  3,000  Spanish  soldiers  attempted  to 
surprise  the  camp.  The  American  pickets  were  driven  in  and  the 
trencjies  assaulted.  The  Pennsylvania  troops  did  not  flinch,  but  stood 


518  THE  SUERENDEE   OF   MANILA. 

their  ground  under  a  withering  fire.  The  alarm  spread  and  the  1st 
California  regiment,  with  two  companies  of  the  3rd  artillery,  who 
fought  with  rifles,  were  sent  up  to  re-enforce  the  Pennsylvanians.  The 
enemy  was  on  top  of  the  trenches  when  these  re-enforcements  arrived, 
and  never  was  the  discipline  of  the  regulars  better  demonstrated  than 
by  the  work  of  the  3rd  artillery  under  Captain  O'Hara.  Nothing  could 
be  seen  but  the  flash  of  Mauser  rifles.  The  Utah  battery,  under  Cap- 
tain Young,  covered  itself  with  glory.  The  men  pulled  their  guns 
through  mud  axle  deep,  and  poured  in  a  destructive  enfilading  fire. 

The  enemy  was  repulsed  and  retreated  in  disorder.  Our  infantry 
had  exhausted  its  ammunition  and  did  not  follow.  Not  an  inch  of 
ground  was  lost,  but  the  scene  in  the  trenches  was  one  never  to  be  for- 
gotten. During  the  flashes  of  lightning  the  dead  and  wounded  could 
be  seen  lying  in  blood-red  water,  but  neither  the  elements  of  heaven 
nor  the  destructive  power  of  man  could  wring  a  cry  of  protest  from  the 
wounded.  They  encouraged  their  comrades  to  fight  and  handed  over 
their  cartridge  belts. 

The  fighting  was  renewed  on  the  night  of  August  1,  and  again  the 
following  evening,  but  the  enemy  had  been  taught  a  lesson,  and  made 
the  attacks  at  long  range  with  heavy  artillery.  The  total  American  loss 
was  fourteen  killed  and  forty-four  wounded.  The  Spaniards  had  350 
killed  and  over  900  wounded. 

On  August  5  the  Spaniards  again  attacked  the  American  outworks. 
The  trenches  were  occupied  by  a  battalion  each  of  the  14th  and  23rd 
regulars  and  Nebraska  volunteers,  the  latter  holding  the  extreme  right 
and  a  company  of  regulars  the  extreme  left.  They  returned  the  Spanish 
fire  and  the  battle  lasted  for  a  half  an  hour.  Three  Americans  were 
killed,  and  eleven  wounded,  four  of  them  seriously. 

The  City  Surrenders. 

Admiral  Dewey  and  General  Merritt  sent  an  ultimatum  to  the  au- 
thorities in  Manila  on  Monday,  August  8,  notifying  them  that  at  the 
expiration  of  forty-eight  hours  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  the  American 
army  would  attack  the  city,  unless  they  surrendered  before  that  time. 
When  this  time  had  expired  the  Spaniards  asked  an  extension  of  one 
day  more,  in  order  that  they  might  remove  their  sick  and  wounded  and 
the  women  and  children  and  non-combatants.  This  request  was 
granted. 

The  foreign  warships  in  the  bay  were  notified  of  the  attack,  all  of 


THE  SURRENDER  OF   MANILA.  519 

them  withdrawing  out  of  range.  The  English  and  Japanese  warships 
joined  the  American  fleet  off  Cavite,  and  the  French  and  German  war- 
ships steamed  to  the  north  of  the  city,  where  they  were  out  of  range. 

The  attack  was  arranged  for  the  9th  inst.,  but  at  the  last  minute 
General  Merritt  requested  that  the  fleet  postpone  the  bombardment 
until  his  lines  could  be  extended  farther  around  the  city.  Then  Admiral 
Dewey  informed  the  Spaniards  that  the  attack  would  be  made  on  Sat- 
urday; that  he  would  destroy  Fort  Malate  and  shell  the  trenches,  thus 
destroying  the  opposition  to  the  land  forces  entering  the  city;  that  he 
would  not  fire  on  Manila  unless  their  guns  opened  on  his  ships,  in  which 
case  he  would  destroy  the  city. 

At  9  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Saturday  the  American  fleet,  with 
battle  flags  flying  at  every  masthead,  left  Cavite,  the  band  on  the  British 
warship  Immortalite  playing  "El  Capitan"  at  the  departure. 

The  agreement  between  Dewey  and  Merritt  was  to  get  under  way 
with  the  fleet  standing  toward  the  city  at  the  same  time  the  troops 
pressed  forward  ready  to  force  an  entrance  when  the  ships  had  destroyed 
the  forts. 

With  the  fleet  the  Olympia  led  the  way,  attended  by  the  Raleigh 
and  the  Petrel,  while  the  Calloa  under  Lieutenant  Tappan  and  the 
launch  Barcolo  crept  close  inshore  in  the  heavy  breakers. 

Perfect  quiet  prevailed  in  the  lines  on  both  sides  as  the  great  ships, 
cleared  for  action,  silently  advanced,  sometimes  hidden  by  rain  squalls. 
The  Monterey,  with  the  Baltimore,  Charleston  and  Boston,  formed  the 
reserve. 

At  9:35  a  sudden  cloud  of  smoke,  green  and  white  against  the  stormy 
sky,  completely  hid  the  Olympia,  a  shell  screamed  across  two  miles  of 
turbulent  water  and  burst  near  the  Spanish  fort  at  Milate  San  Antonio 
de  Abad.  Then  the  Petrel  and  Raleigh  and  the  active  little  Calloa 
opened  a  rapid  fire  directed  toward  the  shore  end  of  the  intrenchments. 
In  the  heavy  rain  it  was  difficult  to  judge  the  range,  and  the  shots  at 
first  fell  short,  but  the  fire  soon  became  accurate  and  shells  rendered 
the  fort  untenable,  while  the  four  guns  of  the  Utah  battery  made  ex- 
cellent practice  of  the  earthworks  and  swamp  to  the  east  of  the  fort. 
The  Spaniards  replied  with  a  few  shells. 

Less  than  half  an  hour  after  the  bombardment  began  General  Greene 
decided  that  it  was  possible  to  advance,  although  the  signals  to  cease 
firing  were  disregarded  by  the  fleet,  being  invisible  on  account  of  the 
rain.  Thereupon  six  companies  of  the  Colorado  regiment  leaped  over 
their  breastworks,  dashed  into  the  swamp  and  began  volley  firing  from 


520  THE   SURRENDER   OF   MANILA. 

the  partial  shelter  of  low  hedges  within  300  yards  of  the  Spanish  lines. 
A  few  moments  later  the  remaining  six  companies  moved  along  the 
seashore,  somewhat  covered  by  a  sand  ridge  formed  by  an  inlet  under 
the  outworks  of  the  fort,  and  at  11  o'clock  occupied  this  formidable 
stronghold  without  loss. 

Meanwhile  the  fleet,  observing  the  movement  of  the  troops  along 
the  beach,  withheld  its  fire.  The  bombardment  had  lasted  exactly  an 
hour  and  a  half.  An  hour  later  General  Greene  and  his  staff  proceeded 
along  the  beach,  still  under  a  hot  infantry  fire  from  the  right,  where  the 
Eighteenth  regulars  and  the  Third  regular  artillery  were  engaging  the 
enemy,  and  directed  the  movement  for  an  advance  into  Malate.  The 
vicinity  of  the  fort  was  uncomfortable  on  account  of  numbers  of  sharp- 
shooters in  the  buildings  on  both  sides,  200  yards  distant.  The  for- 
ward movement  was  therefore  hastened,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  out- 
skirts of  the  suburb  were  well  occupied  and  the  sharpshooters  were 
driven  away. 

As  the  Californians  under  Colonel  Smith  came  up  the  beach  their 
band  played  the  national  air,  accompanied  by  the  whistling  of  Mauser 
bullets,  and  during  the  sharpshooting  continued  to  encourage  the  men 
with  inspiring  music.  Each  regiment  carried  its  colors  into  action. 
There  was  considerable  street  fighting  in  the  suburbs  of  Malate  and 
Ermita,  but  the  battalion  of  Californians  pushed  into  the  Luneta,  a 
popular  promenade  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  moat  of  the  citadel. 
Then  the  white  flag  was  hoisted  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  walled 
town.  General  Greene,  with  a  few  members  of  his  staff,  galloped  along 
the  Luneta,  under  a  sharp  scattering  fire  from  the  houses  near  the  beach, 
and  parleyed  with  an  officer  who  directed  him  along  to  the  gate,  further 
east. 

At  this  moment  the  Spanish  forces,  retreating  from  Santa  Ana,  came 
into  view,  fully  2,000  strong,  followed  by  insurgents  who  had  eluded 
General  McArthur's  troops,  and  now  opened  fire  for  a  brief  period. 
The  situation  was  awkward  if  not  critical,  both  sides  being  slightly  sus- 
picious of  treachery.  The  Spanish  troops  lining  the  citadel  ramparts, 
observing  the  insurgents'  action,  opened  fire  on  the  Californians,  killing 
one  and  wounding  three.  The  confusion,  however,  soon  ceased  by  the 
advance  of  the  retreating  Spaniards  to  the  esplanade,  when  General 
Greene  ordered  them  to  enter  the  citadel. 

Soon  a  letter  was  brought  from  the  captain  general  requesting  the 
commander  of  the  troops  to  meet  him  for  consultation. 

General  Greene  immediately  entered  with  Adjutant  General  Bates. 


THE   SURRENDER   OF   MANILA.  521 

Meanwhile,  according  to  arrangement,  the  moment  the  white  flag  was 
shown,  General  Merritt,  who  occupied  the  steamer  Zafiro  as  temporary 
corps  headquarters,  sent  General  Whittier,  with  Flag  Lieutenant  Brum- 
by, ashore  to  meet  the  captain  general  and  discuss  first  a  plan  of  capitu- 
lation. General  Whittier  found  the  officials  much  startled  by  the  news 
that  the  attack  was  still  vigorously  continuing  along  the  whole  line, 
the  American  troops  even  threatening  the  citadel. 


Spanish  Troops  Massed. 

All  available  Spanish  troops  were  immediately  massed  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  palace,  awaiting  the  succession  of  events,  concerning  which  a 
certain  degree  of  anxiety  was  evident. 

General  Merritt  entered  with  his  staff  at  3  o'clock.  The  situation 
was  then  better  understood,  and  a  conference  with  General  Jaudenes 
was  held.  The  terms  agreed  on  were  as  follows: 

An  agreement  for  the  capitulation  of  the  Philippines. 

A  provision  for  disarming  the  men  who  remain  organized  under  the 
command  of  their  officers,  no  parole  being  exacted. 

Necessary  supplies  to  be  furnished  from  the  captured  treasury  funds, 
any  possible  deficiency  being  made  good  by  the  Americans. 

The  safety  of  life  and  property  of  the  Spanish  soldiers  and  citizens  to  be 
guaranteed  as  far  as  possible. 

The  question  of  transporting  the  troops  to  Spain  to  be  referred  to  the 
decision  of  the  Washington  government,  and  that  of  returning  their  arms  'to 
tfie  soldiers  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  General  Merritt. 

Banks  and  similar  institutions  to  continue  operations  under  existing 
regulations,  unless  these  are  changed  by  the  United  States  authorities. 

Lieutenant  Brumby,  immediately  after  the  terms  of  capitulation  had 
been  signed,  hurried  off  to  lower  the  Spanish  flag — in  reality  to  lower  all 
Spain's  flags  in  the  Philippines  by  taking  down  one.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  two  signal  men  from  the  Olympia, 

This  little  party  found  its  way  after  great  difficulty  into  Fort  San- 
tiago in  the  northern  portion  of  the  walled  city. 

There  a  large  Spanish  flag  was  flying.  Grouped  about  it  were  many 
Spanish  officers.  Brumby's  presence  there  in  the  victorious  uniform 
attracted  a  crowd  from  the  streets. 


522  THE   SURRENDER   OF   MANILA. 


Raises  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

They  hissed  as  he  approached  to  haul  down  the  flag.  Then  the  stars 
and  stripes  rose  in  place  of  the  other. 

Many  of  those  present  wept  bitterly  as  the  flag  of  the  victorious 
stranger  climbed  into  place  above  the  fort. 

Fearing  that  the  crowd  might  lower  "old  glory,"  Lieutenant  Brumby 
asked  an  American  infantry  officer  to  move  up  a  detachment  to  guard  it. 
Fortunately,  he  met  a  company  coming  up  with  a  band. 

The  infantrymen  presented  arms  and  the  band  played  "The  Star- 
Spangled  Banner,"  accompanied  by  the  cheers  of  the  soldiers,  in  which 
many  of  the  residents  of  the  city  joined. 

The  total  American  loss  in  the  day's  battle  was  eight  killed  and 
thirty-four  wounded.  The  Spaniards  had  150  killed  and  over  300 
wounded. 

The  Americans  took  11,000  prisoners,  7,000  being  Spanish  regulars; 
20,000  Mauser  rifles,  3,000  Remingtons,  eighteen  modern  cannon  and 
many  of  the  obsolete  pattern. 

Great  credit  was  given  to  General  Merritt  for  his  plan  of  attack/ 
which  was  successfully  carried  out  in  every  detail  under  unusually  com- 
plicated conditions.  Nor  was  commendation  withheld  from  Chief  of  Staff 
General  Babcock  for  his  expert  co-operation  in  the  admirably  conceived 
strategy.  Prompt  action  and  strictly  following  fully  detailed  orders 
resulted  in  every  case  in  the  immediate  settlement  of  every  difficulty, 
however  threatening.  The  conduct  of  the  Spanish  was  in  a  few  cases 
reprehensible,  such  as  their  setting  fire  to  the  gunboat  Cebu  and  the 
destruction  of  several  armed  launches  and  boats  after  the  capitulation 
had  been  agreed  upon. 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  Admiral  Dewey  to  open  and  to  close  the  active 
operations  of  the  war.  His  destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet  was  the 
first  engagement  of  the  war.  After  fighting  had  ceased  in  the  western 
hemisphere,  under  instructions  from  the  President  in  accordance  with 
the  peace  agreement,  Admiral  Dewey  forced  Manila  to  surrender  under 
fire  of  the  guns  of  his  fleet. 


CHAPTER   LIU. 

VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR. 

Spain  Sues  for  Peace — President  McKinley's  Ultimatum — French  Ambassa- 
dor Cambon  Acts  on  Behalf  of  Spain — The  President's  Proclamation 
— The  Protocol — Spanish  Losses  in  Men,  Ships  and  Territory — 
Appointment  of  the  Evacuation  Committees  and  the  Peace  Com- 
mission. 

On  Tuesday,  July  26,  the  Spanish  government  took  the  first  well 
defined  step  to  bring  about  a  cessation  of  hostilities.  The  French  am- 
bassador, accompanied  by  his  secretary  of  embassy,  called  on  President 
McKinley,  and  under  instructions  from  his  government  and  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  Spanish  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  opened  peace  negotia- 
tions by  declaring  that  Spain  was  ready  to  consider  terms.  The  proposi- 
tion submitted  by  the  ambassador  acting  for  the  Spanish  government 
was  in  general  terms,  and  was  confined  to  the  one  essential  point  of  an 
earnest  plea  that  negotiations  be  opened  for  the  purpose  of  terminating 
the  war. 

Owing  to  the  importance  of  the  communication  the  ambassador 
adopted  the  usual  diplomatic  procedure  of  reading  the  communication 
from  the  original,  in  French,  the  translation  being  submitted  by  M. 
Thiebaut.  In  '  the  conversation  which  followed  the  reading  of  the 
proposition  neither  the  president  nor  the  ambassador  entered  upon  the 
question  of  the  terms  of  peace.  The  instructions  of  the  ambassador  had 
confined  him  to  the  opening  of  peace  negotiations,  and  it  was  evident 
that  the  President  desired  to  consider  the  proposition  before  giving  any 
definite  reply.  It  was  finally  determined  that  the  President  would  con- 
sult the  members  of  his  cabinet,  and  after  a  decision  had  been  arrived 
at  M.  Cambon  would  then  be  invited  to  the  white  house  for  a  further 
conference  and  for  a  final  answer  from  the  United  States  government. 
Before  the  call  closed  a  brief  official  memorandum  was  agreed  upon  in 
order  to  set  at  rest  misleading  conjecture  and  to  give  to  the  public  infor- 
mation on  a  subject  which  had  advanced  beyond  the  point  where  diplo- 
matic reserve  was  essential. 

After  cabinet  discussions  on  Friday  and  Saturday  regarding  the 
concessions  which  should  be  demanded  from  Spain  a  definite  agreement 

523 


524  VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR. 

was  reached,  and  the  French  ambassador  was  notified  that  the  President 
was  prepared  to  deliver  his  ultimatum.  The  demands  made  by  the 
President  were  briefly  as  follows: 

1.  That  Spain  will  relinquish  all  claims  of  sovereignty  over  and  title 
to  Cuba. 

2.  That  Puerto  Rico  and  other  Spanish  islands  in  the  West  Indies,  and 
an  island  in  the  Ladrones,  to  be  selected  by  the  United  States,  shall  be  ceded 
to  the  latter. 

3.  That  the  United  States  will  occupy  and  hold  the  city,  bay  and  harbor 
of  Manila  pending  the  conclusion  of  a  treaty  of  peace,  which  shall  determine 
the  control,  disposition  and  government  of  the  Philippines. 

4.  That  Cuba,   Puerto   Rico  and   other  Spanish  islands  in  the  West 
Indies  shall  be  immediately  evacuated,  and  that  commissioners,  to  be  ap- 
pointed within  ten  days,  shall  within  thirty  days  from  the  signing  of  the 
protocol  meet  at  Havana  and  San  Juan,  respectively,  to  arrange  and  execute 
the  details  of  the  evacuation. 

5.  That  the  United  States  and  Spain  will  each  appoint  not  more  than 
five  commissioners  to  negotiate  and  conclude  a  treaty  of  peace.    The  com- 
missioners to  meet  at  Paris  not  later  than  October  1. 

6.  On  the  signing  of  the  protocol  hostilities  will  be  suspended,  and 
notice  to  that  effect  will  be  given  as  soon  as  possible  by  each  government  to 
the  commanders  of  its  military  and  naval  forces. 

Spanish  diplomacy  was  as  usual  in  evidence,  and  attempts  were 
made  by  the  Madrid  administration  to  modify  the  terms,  so  as  to  relieve 
the  Spanish  government  of  at  least  a  portion  of  the  Cuban  debt,  but  the 
authorities  in  Washington  were  firm  and  insisted  that  no  such  sugges- 
tion could  be  considered,  and  that  there  could  be  no  further  discussion 
until  the  Spanish  flag  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  West  Indies. 

On  August  12  Ambassador  Cambon  received  official  notice  from  the 
administration  at  Madrid  that  his  action  in  agreeing  to  the  terms  of  the 
protocol  was  approved,  and  he  was  authorized  to  sign  it,  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  Spanish  government.  Accordingly,  at  four  o'clock  on 
the  afternoon  of  that  day,  he  presented  himself  at  the  President's  man- 
sion, in  company  with  his  first  secretary,  M.  Thiebaut,  where  he  was  met 
by  President  McKinley,  Secretary  of  State  Day,  and  Assistant  Secre- 
taries of  State  Moore,  Adee  and  Cridler. 

Two  copies  of  the  protocol  had  been  prepared,  one  in  English  for 
preservation  by  this  government,  and  the  other  in  French  for  the 
Spanish  government.  The  signatures  and  seals  were  formally  attached, 
Secretary  Day  signing  one  copy  in  advance  of  M.  Cambon,  the  order 
b^ing  reversed  on  the  other. 


VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR.  525 

The  President  then  congratulated  the  French  ambassador  upon  the 
part  he  had  taken  in  securing  a  suspension  of  hostilities  and  thanked 
him  for  the  earnest  efforts  he  had  made  to  facilitate  a  speedy  conclusion. 
M.  Cambon  then  bowed  himself  out  of  the  room  and  left  the  white  house 
with  the  copy  of  the  protocol,  which  he  will  forward  to  Spain.  The  seal 
used  by  the  French  ambassador  was  that  of  Spain,  which  had  been  left 
with  him  when  the  Spanish  minister  withdrew  from  Washington. 

Full  Text  of  the  Protocol. 

His  Excellency,  M.  Cambon,  Ambassador  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  of  the  French  Republic  at  Washington,  and  Mr.  William 
Day,  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States,  having  received  respectively 
to  that  effect  plenary  powers  from  the  Spanish  Government  and  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  have  established  and  signed  the  following  articles 
which  define  the  terms  on  which  the  two  governments  have  agreed  with 
regard  to  the  questions  enumerated  below  and  of  which  the  object  is  the 
establishment  of  peace  between  the  two  countries — namely: 

Article  1.  Spain  will  renounce  all  claim  to  all  sovereignty  over  and 
all  her  rights  over  the  Island  of  Cuba. 

Article  2.  Spain  will  cede  to  the  United  States  the  Island  of  Puerto 
Rico  and  the  other  islands  which  are  at  present  under  the  sovereignty  of 
Spain  in  the  Antilles,  as  well  as  an  island  in  Ladrona  Archipelago,  to  be 
chosen  by  the  United  States. 

Article  3.  The  United  States  will  occupy  and  retain  the  City  and  Bay 
of  San  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico  and  the  Port  of  Manila  and  Bay  of  Manila 
pending  the  conclusion  of  a  treaty  of  peace  which  shall  determine  the 
control  and  form  of  government  of  the  Philippines. 

Article  4.  Spain  will  immediately  evacuate  Cuba,  Puerto  Rico,  and  the 
other  islands  now  under  Spanish  sovereignty  in  the  Antilles.  To  this  effect 
each  of  the  two  governments  will  appoint  commissioners  within  ten  days 
after  the  signing  of  this  protocol,  and  these  commissioners  shall  meet  at 
Havana  within  thirty  days  after  the  signing  of  this  protocol  with  the  object 
of  coming  to  an  agreement  regarding  the  carrying  out  of  the  details  of  the 
aforesaid  evacuation  of  Cuba  and  other  adjacent  Spanish  islands;  and  each 
of  the  two  governments  shall  likewise  appoint  within  ten  days  after  the 
signature  of  this  protocol  other  commissioners,  who  shall  meet  at  San  Juan 
de  Puerto  Rico  within  thirty  days  after  the  signature  of  this  protocol,  to 
agree  upon  the  details  of  the  evacuation  of  Puerto  Rico  and  other  islands 
now  under  Spanish  sovereignty  in  the  Antilles. 

Article  5.  Spain  and  the  United  States  shall  appoint  to  treat  for  peace 
five  commissioners  at  the  most  for  either  country.  The  commissioners  shall 
meet  in  Paris  on  Oct.  1  at  the  latest  to  proceed  to  negotiations  and  to  the 


526        4  VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF   THE    WAR. 

conclusion  of  a  treaty  of  peace.  This  treaty  shall  be  ratified  in  conformity 
with  the  constitutional  laws  of  each  of  the  two  countries. 

Article  6.  Once  this  protocol  is  concluded  and  signed  hostilities  shall 
be  suspended,  and  to  that  effect  in  the  two  countries  orders  shall  be  given 
by  either  government  to  the  commanders  of  its  land  and  sea  forces  as  speed- 
ily as  possible. 

Done  in  duplicate  at  Washington,  read  in  French  and  in  English  by  the 
undersigned,  who  affix  at  the  foot  of  the  document  their  signatures  and 
seals,  Aug.  12,  1898 

JULES  CAMBON. 
WILLIAM  R.  DAY. 

The  President  immediately  issued  the  following  proclamation: 

By  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America — A  Proclamation. 

WThereas,  By  a  protocol  concluded  and  signed  Aug.  12,  1898,  by  William 
R.  Day,  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States,  and  His  Excellency  Jules 
Cambon,  Ambassador  Extraordinary  and  Plenipotentiary  of  the  Republic  of 
France  at  Washington,  respectively  representing  for  this  purpose  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  and  the  Government  of  Spain,  the  United  States 
and  Spain  have  formally  agreed  upon  the  terms  on  which  negotiations  for 
the  establishment  of  peace  between  the  two  countries  shall  be  undertaken; 
and, 

Whereas,  It  is  in  said  protocol  agreed  that  upon  its  conclusion  and  sig- 
nature hostilities  between  the  two  countries  shall  be  suspended,  and  that 
notice  to  that  effect  shall  be  given  as  soon  as  possible  by  each  government 
to  the  commanders  of  its  military  and  naval  forces: 

Now,  therefore,  I,  William  McKinley,  President  of  the  United  States, 
do,  in  accordance  with  the  stipulations  of  the  protocol,  declare  and  proclaim 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States  a  suspension  of  hostilities,  and  do  hereby 
command  that  orders  be  immediately  given  through  the  proper  channels  to 
the  commanders  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  of  the  United  States  to 
abstain  from  all  acts  inconsistent  with  this  proclamation. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the  seal 
of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  12th  day  of  August,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Ninety-Eight,  and  of  the 
independence  of  the  United  States  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-third. 

WILLIAM  McKINLEY. 
By  the  President: 

WILLIAM  R.  DAY, 

Secretary  of  State. 


VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR.  527 

In  accordance  with  the  proclamation  issued  by  the  President  orders 
were  issued  to  the  naval  commanders  at  the  several  stations  in  the 
United  States,  Cuba  and  the  Philippines  carrying  into  effect  the  direc- 
tions of  the  proclamation.  The  navy  department  not  only  transmitted 
the  President's  proclamation  in  full  to  the  several  commanders  in  chief, 
but  also  directions  as  to  the  disposition  of  their  vessels. 

Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Aug.  12. — Sampson,  Santiago: 
Suspend  all  hostilities.  Blockade  of  Cuba  and  Puerto  Rico  is  raised.  Howell 
ordered  to  assemble  vessels  at  Key  West.  Proceed  with  New  York,  Brook- 
lyn, Indiana,  Oregon,  Iowa  and  Massachusetts  to  Tompkinsville.  Place  mon- 
itors in  safe  harbor  in  Puerto  Rico.  Watson  transfers  his  flag  to  Newark 
and  will  remain  at  Guantanamo.  Assemble  all  cruisers  in  safe  harbors. 
Order  marines  north  in  Resolute. 

ALLEN,  Acting  Secretary. 

Navy  Department,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Aug.  12. — Remey,  Key  West:  In 
accordance  with  the  President's  proclamation  telegraphed  you,  suspend 
immediately  all  hostilities.  Commence  withdrawal  of  vessels  from  blockade. 
Order  blockading  vessels  in  Cuban  waters  to  assemble  at  Key  West. 

ALLEN,  Acting  Secretary. 

Similar  notification  was  sent  to  Admiral  Dewey,  with  instructions  to 
cease  hostilities  and  raise  the  blockade  at  Manila. 

The  orders  to  General  Merritt  to  suspend  were  as  follows : 

Adjutant-General's  Office,  Washington,  D.  C.,  Aug.  12,  1898. — Merritt, 
Manila:  The  President  directs  all  military  operations  against  the  enemy  be 
suspended.  Peace  negotiations  are  nearing  completion,  a  protocol  having 
just  been  signed  by  representatives  of  the  two  countries.  You  will  inform 
the  commanders  of  the  Spanish  forces  in  the  Philippines  of  these  instruc- 
tions. Further  orders  will  follow.  Acknowledge  receipt.  By  order  of  the 
Secretary  of  War. 

H.  C.  CORBIN,  Adjutant-General. 

The  orders  sent  to  General  Miles  and  General  Shafter  were  identical 
with  the  above  save  as  to  names. 

Senor  Palma,  the  head  of  the  Cuban  Junta,  sent  the  following  cable 
by  way  of  Santiago: 

Bartolome  Maso,  President  Cuban  Republic,  Santiago,  Cuba:  I  hare 
this  13th  day  of  August,  1898,  accepted,  in  the  name  of  the  Cuban  provisional 
government,  the  armistice  proclaimed  by  the  United  States.  You  should 
give  immediate  orders  to  the  army  throughout  Cuba  suspending  all  bostjli- 


528  VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR. 

ties.  Preliminary  terms  of  peace,  signed  by  representatives  of  Spain  and 
the  United  States,  provide  that  Spain  will  relinquish  all  claim  over  and 
title  to  Cuba.  T.  ESTRADA  PALMA. 

On  August  16  the  President  appointed  as  military  commissioners 
Major-General  James  F.  Wade,  Kear-Admiral  William  T.  Sampson,  and 
Major-General  Matthew  C.  Butler  for  Cuba,  and  Major-General  John  R. 
Brooke,  Rear-Admiral  Winfield  S.  Schley,  and  Brigadier-General  Wil- 
liam W.  Gordon  for  Puerto  Rico. 

As  soon  as  General  Shafter  received  the  President's  proclamation 
for  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  took  steps  for  the  immediate  notifica- 
tion of  the  Spanish  commanders  in  the  vicinity,  and  also  the  insurgent 
leaders. 

The  proclamation  was  received  in  Santiago  with  the  greatest  enthu- 
siasm, the  officers  and  men  of  the  army  being  alike  supremely  satisfied 
with  the  definite  declaration  of  peace.  After  the  fall  of  Santiago  a 
period  of  uncertainty  and  inactivity  had  had  its  effect  upon  the  soldiers 
stationed  there.  The  weary  waiting  for  new  developments,  weakened 
by  the  enervating  climate,  watching  the  insidious  ravages  of  disease, 
sapped  the  spirits  of  all,  and  the  news  that  brought  to  them  a  near 
prospect  of  home  was  like  a  bracing  breeze  that  swept  through  the 
camp,  giving  new  courage  to  all. 

The  End  of  the  War. 

Thus  came  to  a  close  our  war  with  Spain  for  Cuba's  freedom.  Com- 
menced in  a  spirit  of  vengeance  for  the  destruction  of  a  battleship,  the 
war  was  conducted  with  singular  freedom,  all  the  circumstances  con- 
sidered, from  vindictiveness.  We  struck  hard,  but  quickly.  We  com- 
pelled victories,  destroyed  fleets,  but  were  merciful  and  considerate 
towards  the  captured.  There  was  singularly  little  revilement  of  the 
Spanish  enemy  and  the  bravery  of  the  Spanish  soldier  and  sailor  was 
freely  admitted.  But  mere  personal  valor  could  not  supply  the  place  of 
skill  and  discipline. 

In  all  history  there  is  not  an  instance  of  such  unchecked  successes 
as  attended  our  military  operations.  For  us  the  encounters  were  not 
bloody,  the  victories  were  not  dearly  purchased.  At  sea  we  destroyed 
squadrons  without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  a  ship;  on  land  we  compelled  the 
surrender  of  garrisons  strongly  intrenched.  In  Puerto  Rico  our  march 
was  a  triumphal  procession. 


VICTORIOUS    CLOSE    OF    THE    WAR.  529 

Spain,  for  the  sake  of  false  pride,  bigotry,  politics  and  a  child  king, 
buried  in  the  depths  of  the  sea  thirty-five  vessels  of  her  navy,  valued  at 
136,500,000.  By  their  rusting  hulks  lie  the  bodies  of  more  than  a  thous- 
and gallant  tars.  She  surrendered  in  territory  to  the  United  States 
directly  Cuba,  with  a*  population  of  1,500,000  and  an  area  of  45,000 
square  miles,  and  Puerto  Rico,  with  a  population  of  810,000  and  an 
area  of  3,670  square  miles.  Her  total  direct  loss  of  territory  in  square 
miles  was  48,670,  and  loss  in  population  2,310,000.  She  also  jeopar- 
dized, probably  beyond  all  future  control  by  her,  the  Philippine  islands, 
with  a  population  of  8,000,000  and  an  area  of  114,326  square  miles.  So 
that  in  the  end  it  appears  the  Spanish  kingdom  for  the  sake  of  the  wrong 
gave  up  163,000  square  miles  of  territory  and  over  10,000,000  of  tax- 
paying  population. 

This  loss  was  the  gain  of  the  United  States,  which,  to  bring  it  about, 
placed  in  service  a  first-class  navy,  with  10,000  men  and  fifty  effective 
vessels,  and  a  volunteer  and  regular  army  of  278,500  men,  of  which  New 
York  gave  the  largest  number,  Pennsylvania  next  and  Illinois  the  third. 

When  the  present  century  began  Spain  was  mistress  over  nearly 
all  of  the  southern  continent  of  America  and  over  a  good  share  of  the 
northern  continent.  With  the  exception  of  Brazil,  to  which  the  Portu- 
guese held  title,  practically  all  of  South  America  was  Spanish.  So  was 
Central  America,  the  present  Mexico,  and  nearly  a  million  square  miles 
of  the  southwestern  part  of  the  United  States.  The  revolutions  of  the 
early  decades  of  the  century  stripped  off  much  of  that  domain,  and  now 
the  last  shreds  of  it  are  also  gone.  The  same  policy  of  persistent  greed 
and  of  deadly  disregard  to  the  interests  of  the  governed  that  caused 
the  early  revolutions  has  also  caused  the  later  ones,  for  the  sake  of  which 
the  United  States  began  its  interference  in  the  Antilles. 

Now  nothing  is  left  to  the  former  queen  of  all  the  empires  and 
kingdoms  which  once  were  subject  to  her  and  brought  her  glory  and 
power  among  the  nations.  Her  own  sons  have  read  to  her  the  lesson 
that  exploitation  cannot  continue  forever,  and  that  unless  the  conqueror 
has  regard  for  the  interests  of  the  conquered  the  seeds  of  disruption  will 
surely  be  sown. 


CHAPTEE   LIV. 
PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES. 

Telling  Hmv  Our  Soldiers  Lived — What  They  Saw — How  They  Fought — 
Hardships  Endured — Bravery  Shown  in  the  Face  of  the  Deadly 
Mauser  Bullets  as  Well  as  Fever- Stricken  Camps,  Etc.,  Etc. 

Charles  E.  Hands,  writing  from  Santiago  to  the  London  Mail,  says 
of  the  wounded  after  the  battle  of  July  1  and  2: 

There  was  one  man  on  the  road  whose  left  foot  was  heavily  bandaged 
and  drawn  up  from  the  ground.  He  had  provided  himself  with  a  sort  of 
rough  crutch  made  of  the  forked  limb  of  a  tree,  which  he  had  padded  with 
a  bundle  of  clothes.  With  the  assistance  of  this  and  a  short  stick  he  was 
paddling  briskly  along  when  I  overtook  him. 

"Where  did  they  get  you,  neighbor?"  I  asked  him. 

"Oh,  durn  their  skins,"  he  said  in  the  cheerfulest  way,  turning  to  me 
with  a  smile,  "they  got  me  twice — a  splinter  of  a  shell  in  the  foot  and  a  bullet 
through  the  calf  of  the  same  leg  when  I  was  being  carried  back  from  the 
firing  line." 

"A  sharpshooter?" 

"The  son  of  a  mon^el  was  up  in  a  tree." 

"And  you're  walking  back  to  Siboney.  Wasn't  there  room  for  you  to 
ride?"  I  expected  an  angry  outburst  of  indignation  in  reply  to  this  question. 
But  I  was  mistaken.  In  a  plain,  matter-of-fact  way  he  said: 

"Guess  not.  They  wanted  all  the  riding  room  for  worse  oases  'n  mine. 
Thank  God,  my  two  wounds  are  both  in  the  same  leg,  so  I  can  walk  quite 
good  and  spry.  They  told  me  I'd  be  better  off  down  at  the  landing  yonder, 
so  I  got  these  crutches  and  made  a  break." 

"And  how  are  you  getting  along?"  I  asked. 

"Good  and  well,"  he  said,  as  cheerfully  as  might  be,  "just  good  and 
easy."  And  with  his  one  sound  leg  and  his  two  sticks  he  went  cheerfully 
paddling  along. 

It  was  just  the  same  with  other  walking  wounded  men.  They  were  all 
beautifully  cheerful.  And  not  merely  cheerful.  They  were  all  absolutely 
unconscious  that  they  were  undergoing  any  unnecessary  hardships  or  suf- 
ferings. They  knew  now  that  war  was  no  picnic,  and  they  were  not  com- 

530 


AMERICAN  PEACE  COMMISSIONERS 
EX.  SECT'Y  OF  STATE,  WM.  R.  DAY 


SENATOR  CUSHMAN  K.  DAVIS. 

of  Minnesota 
SENATOR  W.  P.  FRYE. 

of  Maine 


SENATOR  GEORGE  GRAY. 

of  Delaware 
WHITELAW  REID. 

of  New  York 


SPANISH  PEACE  COMMISSIONERS 

EXCMO  SR.  D.  E.  MONT ERO  RIOS,  President 

EXCMO  SR.  D.  WENCE5LAO  EXCMO  SR.  GENERAL  CEREKO 

R^NInEZ  DE  VILLAURRUTIA 

EXCMO  SR.  EXCMO  SR.  D.  JOSE  GARNICA. 

D.  BUENAVENTURA  ABARZUZA 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES,  531 

plaining  at  the  absence  of  picnic  fare.  Some  of  them  had  lain  out  all  the 
night,  with  the  dew  falling  on  them  where  the'  bullets  had  dropped  them, 
before  their  turn  came  with  the  overworked  field  surgeons. 

Captain  Paddock  Tells  of  the  Fighting  Before  Santiago. 

On  the  Battlefield,  One  Mile  East  of  Santiago,  Sunday,  July  3. 

My  Dear  "Jim":  I  have  passed  safely  through  the  most  horrible  three 
days  imaginable.  We  marched  nearly  all  night  Thursday  (June  30),  to  a 
point  about  one  and  a  half  miles  east  from  here,  and  then  waited  for  morning. 
About  5  o'clock  we  started  again,  and  at  G  A.  M.  our  extreme  right  opened 
the  fight.  The  center  (our  front)  and  the  left  moved  into  position,  and  at 
8  o'clock  the  Spanish  artillery  opened  on  us  from  the  position  we  now  hold. 
We  deployed  as  skirmishers  and  advanced  through  woods  and  brush,  a  per- 
fect thicket;  our  artillery  was  hard  at  work  behind  us,  but  we  with  our 
small  arms  could  not  do  much,  as  the  Spanish  were  perfectly  intrenched  for 
a  mile  or  more  along  our  front. 

*  We  kept  pushing  along,  although  their  fire,  both  shrapnel  and  small 
arms,  was  murdering  us;  but  on  we  came,  through  the  tropical  underbrush, 
and  wading  a  stream  up  to  our  chests,  firing  when  we  could  see  the  enemy. 

We  reached  the  first  line  along  a  hillcrest  and  drove  them  out;  then 
the  next  line,  and  they  then  started  back  to  the  city.  The  fighting  was  fast 
and  fearful  and  never  slackened  until  dark.  The  second  day  (Saturday)  was 
a  continuous  fight  again  till  dark;  but  our  loss  was  small,  as  we  simply  held 
our  position,  having  driven  them  all  in;  at  night,  however,  they  made  a 
furious  attack  and  attempted  to  retake  the  place.  We  were  not  surprised, 
and  drove  them  back,  with  small  loss  on  our  side. 

To-day  was  like  the  second  day  up  to  12:30  o'clock,  when  a  truce  was 
made.  Up  to  now  (5  o'clock  P.  M.)  there  has  been  no  firing  since  then,  but 
I  don't  yet  know  what  the  result  of  the  conference  was.  We  offered  the  truce 
after  the  naval  battle.  I  only  give  a  brief  outline,  as  the  papers  have  told 
everything.  I  am  unhurt  and  perfectly  well. 

Told  from  the  Trenches— Council  Bluffs  Boy  Describes  the  Fight- 
ing Before  Santiago. 

The  following  letter  was  written  in  the  trenches  before  Santiago 
the  morning  after  the  attack: 

Heights  Before  Santiago,  July  8. 

Dear  Father:  I  have  not  been  hurt  and  am  fully  convinced  that  Provi- 
dential protection  alone  took  me  through  it.  Contrary  to  all  principles  of 


532  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

tactics,  but  unavoidably,  the  Twenty-fourth  infantry  was  marched  for  three 
miles  in  a  flanking  fire  from  artillery,  and  when  we  were  within  about  one 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  first  Spanish  position  we  were  hemmed  in  a  narrow 
road  and  subjected  to  a  hail  of  fire  from  two  blockhouses  and  iutrenehiuents 
on  the  hills  on  our  right. 

We  waded  about  400  yards  down  a  stream  up  to  our  shoulders  under 
protection  of  its  banks  and  charged  across  a  field  of  bull  grass  as  high  as 
our  heads  for  about  600  yards,  and  then  up  the  hill  about  200  feet  and  drove 
the  Spaniards  out  of  their  fort.  The  one  we  took  is  called  San  Juan.  We 
lost  terribly.  Lieutenants  Gurney  and  Augustine  are  dead.  Colonel  Liscum, 
Captains  Ducat,  Brett  and  Burton  and  Lieutenants  Lyon  and  Laws  are 
wounded.  We  lost  about  100  men,  but  the  fight  is  virtually  won. 

During  the  engagement  I  threw  away  my  sword.  I  saw  the  colonel  fall 
and  I  gave  him  my  canteen  and  he  soon  revived.  We  occupied  the  hill  by 
the  blockhouse.  We  are  within  about  400  yards  of  the  city  and  they  have 
put  up  a  flag  of  truce.  They  want  until  10  A.  M.  July  9  to  hear  from  Havana. 
We  have  them  sewed  up  tight.  I  have  a  piece  of  an  eight-inch  shell  which 
tried  to  get  me,  but  struck  the  parapet  of  my  trench.  Will  try  to  send  it 
home. 

No  one  except  those  thoroughly  acquainted  with  this  country  will  ever 
know  how  dreadfully  desperate  the  fight  and  charge  were.  It  is  a  mistake 
that  the  Spaniards  won't  fight.  The  Spaniards  have  their  barracks  and  other 
buildings  covered  with  the  Bed  Cross  and  abuse  all  the  established  prin- 
ciples of  warfare.  They  put  their  men  in  trees  hidden  with  leaves  and  bark 
and  they  pick  off  officers,  surgeons  and  men  of  the  hospital  corps. 

Finally  it  became  necessary  to  systematically  hunt  these  down,  and 
this  has  been  done  with  considerable  success.  The  night  of  the  4th  Sampson 
began  countermining,  and  the  dynamite  made  such  a  racket  that  the  Spanish 
officers  ran  out  under  a  flag  of  truce  about  11:30  P.  M.  and  wanted  to  know 
what  we  meant  by  firing  under  a  flag  of  truce.  It  did  not  take  us  long  to 
tell  them  that  our  flag  of  truce  did  not  include  the  navy.  Now,  about  9 
A.  M.,  I  hear  the  guns  of  the  navy  and  Morro  castle  exchanging  compliments. 

Of  all  the  precautions  advised  before  we  started  for  Cuba  I  could  follow 
but  few.  I  wear  my  woolen  bandages,  but  in  wading  the  stream  I  was  unable 
to  put  on  dry  clothes  again.  In  fact,  for  seventy-twro  hours  we  were  under 
fire  without  sleep  and  thirty-six  hours  without  water  or  food  of  any  kind. 

Bacon  and  hard  bread  are  fine.  I  sleep  on  the  side  of  San  Juan  hill 
in  a  ditch,  so  I  won't  roll  out.  I  have  a  raincoat,  blanket  and  shelter  half. 

This  is  the  most  beautiful  country  I  have  ever  seen,  and  if  we  should 
have  peace  I  know  of  no  place  I  would  rather  live  in.    I  have  seen  enoug) 
of  the  horrors  of  the  war,  but  am  proud  of  the  gallant  boys  of  the  Twenty 
fourth.    The  fighting  is  practically  over,  so  have  no  fear.    Your  son, 

WTILL. 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  533 

Colonel  Wood  Writes  of  His  Battle — Rough  Riders'  Leader 
Describes  the  American  Attack  at  La  Quasina. 

Cauip  First  United  States  Volunteer  Cavalry,  Six  Miles  Out  of  Santiago, 
June  27,  1898. 

Dear  General:  Thinking  that  a  line  about  our  fight  and  general  condi- 
tion would  interest  you,  I  take  this  opportunity  to  drop  you  a  line.  We  are 
all  getting  along  very  comfortably  thus  far  and  find  the  climate  much  better 
than  we  expected;  also  the  country,  which,  aside  from  being  awfully  rough 
and  full  of  undergrowth,  is  rather  picturesque  and  attractive. 

We  commenced  our  advance  from  our  first  landing  place  on  the  23d,  and 
that  night  General  Young  and  I,  as  second  in  command  of  the  Second  Cavalry 
brigade,  had  a  long  war  talk  about  taking  the  very  strong  Spanish  position 
about  five  miles  up  the  road  to  Santiago.  He  decided  that  he  would  make 
a  feint  on  their  front  and  hold  on  hard,  while  I  was  to  make  a  detour  by 
trail  under  a  couple  of  Cuban  guides  and  take  them  in  flank  and  try  to  get 
them  out  of  their  strong  position,  which  was  in  the  wildest  and  roughest 
part  of  the  trail  toward  the  town.  Our  little  plan  worked.  I  located  the 
Spanish  outpost  and  deployed  silently  and  wrhen  in  position  fired  on  them. 
Shortly  after  I  opened  I  could  hear  Young  on  the  right,  down  in  the  valley. 


Fought  Two  Hours  at  Close  Range. 

/ 

The  fight  lasted  over  two  hours  and  was  very  hot  and  at  rather  close 
range.  The  Spanish  used  the  volley  a  great  deal,  while  my  men  fired  as  indi- 
viduals. We  soon  found  that  instead  of  1,500  men  we  had  struck  a  very  heavy 
qutpost  of  several  thousand.  However,  to  cut  a  long  story  short,  we  drove 
them  steadily  but  slowly,  and  finally  threw  them  into  flight.  Their  losses 
must  have  been  heavy,  for  all  reports  coming  out  of  Santiago  show  a  great 
many  dead  and  wounded  and  that  they,  the  Spanish,  had  4,000  men  and 
two  machine  guns  (these  we  saw)  and  were  under  two  general  officers,  and 
that  the  Spanish  dead  and  wounded  were  being  brought  in  for  six  hours; 
also  that  the  garrison  was  expecting  an  assault  that  night;  that  the  de- 
feated troops  reported  they  had  fought  the  entire  American  army  for  four 
hours,  but,  compelled  by  greatly  superior  numbers,  had  retreated  and  that 
the  army  was  coming. 

My  men  conducted  themselves  splendidly  and  behaved  like  veterans, 
going  up  against  the  heavy  Spanish  lines  as  though  they  had  the  greatest 
contempt  for  them.  Yours  sincerely,  LEONARD  WOOD. 

To  General  R.  A.  Alger,  Secretary  of  War. 


534  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

Wirt  W.  Young  of  Chicago  Tells  of  the  Destruction  of  Cervera's 

Fleet  July  3. 

We  have  seen  some  hot  times  since  the  Harvard  left  Newport  News  with 
the  Ninth  Massachusetts  and  the  Thirty-fourth  Michigan  on  board.  We 
landed  them  about  six  miles  from  Santiago  at  a  little  town  called  Siboney, 
or  Altares,  and  laid  there  four  days  unloading  stores.  On  the  morning 
of  the  3d  I  was  lucky  enough  to  row  in  the  boat  that  the  officers  took  to  the 
shore.  The  ship  was  lying  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  shore,  and  you 
can  bet  it  is  no  Sunday-school  picnic  affair  to  pull  a  twenty-foot  oar  back  and 
forth  all  day.  When  we  landed  the  officers  one  of  them  said:  "Wait  for  me." 
We  waited  three  hours.  Then  we  saw  the  New  York  come  on  the  line.  We 
made  for  the  boat,  so  as  to  reach  it  before  the  lieutenant.  Just  as  he  got 
in  the  Harvard  flew  the  recall  signal.  When  we  reached  her  we  heard  that 
the  New  York  had  said  that  the  Spanish  ships  had  left  the  harbor  and  that 
the  Harvard  was  to  join  the  Iowa.  We  cleared  for  action  and  went  up  past 
Morro  castle. 

Away  up  on  the  coast  we  could  see  great  columns  of  smoke.  The  Span- 
iards had  come  out  and  started  to  run,  but  the  Indiana,  Iowa,  Massachusetts, 
Gloucester  and  the  rest  of  the  fleet  were  waiting,  and  in  an  hour  the  two 
Spanish  torpedo-boats  were  blown  out  of  the  water.  The  Infanta  Maria 
Theresa  and  Oquendo  were  beached  and  on  fire  close  together,  and  the  Viz- 
eaya  the  same  about  a  mile  farther  down.  It  was  about  3  o'clock  when  the 
Iowa  signaled  the  Harvard  to  take  the  Spanish  sailors  from  the  burning 
ships  and  from  the  shore.  Before  the  first  boat  was  lowered  it  had  grown 
quite  dark  and  the  sea  was  running  high. 

The  Sight  of  a  Lifetime. 

The  sight  of  those  magnificent  battleships  burning  and  the  magazines 
exploding  one  by  one  as  the  flames  reached  them,  made  an  impression  upon 
me  I  will  never  forget.  They  called  for  volunteers  to  man  the  boats,  as  it 
was  dangerous  work.  We  did  not  know  whether  the  Spanish  sailors  on 
shore  would  show  fight  or  not.  There  is  a  cadet  on  board  named  Hannigan, 
from  Chicago,  who  will  alwaj's  show  his  boat's  crew  any  fun  there  is  going 
on.  Arling  Hanson  and  I  determined  to  get  in  his  boat,  and  we  did. 

We  made  for  the  Vizcaya,  and  as  we  neared  her  we  could  see  men 
hanging  to  ropes  down  the  sides.  The  ship  was  on  fire  from  stem  to  stern, 
and  any  moment  the  magazines  were  likely  to  explode.  If  they  had  while 
we  were  pulling  the  Spaniards  off,  there  would  have  been  several  Chicago 
naval  recruits  missing.  The  surf  was  running  high  and  made  the  work 
dangerous  and  difficult,  but  we  made  connections  and  brought  off  over  GOO 
men.  They  were  all  naked  and  almost  dead. 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  535 

The  only  light  we  had  was  from  the  burning  ships,  and  the  scene 
was  one  of  great  confusion.  Officers  shouted  orders,  Spaniards  running  up 
and  down  the  beach  and  the  magazines  exploding  one  by  one  as  the  fire 
reached  them.  And  to  crown  all  a  party  of  Cubans  came  down  from  the 
hills  and  announced  their  intention  of  "making  angels"  of  all  the  helpless 
Spaniards.  Whereupon  the  American  naval  officers  said  if  they  tried  any- 
thing like  that  "there  would  be  some  strange  Cuban  faces  in  hades."  The 
Cubans  thought  better  of  it  and  stood  and  watched  us. 

I  have  got  the  dagger  and  sheath  of  the  Spanish  officer  Francisco  Silvia. 
He  was  pretty  near  gone,  and  when  he  had  almost  reached  the  boat  he  let 
go  of  the  line.  I  swam  out,  held  to  the  line,  and  just  as  he  swept  by  me, 
caught  him  by  the  belt  and  got  him  up  to  the  boat.  He  got  me  around 
the  neck  in  the  struggle,  and  once  I  was  so  full  of  salt  water  I  thought  I 
should  never  see  Chicago  again.  He  wanted  to  give  me  anything  he  had. 
He  had  only  his  belt  and  cap,  so  I  chose  his  dagger. 

Mutiny  Among  the  Prisoners. 

I  suppose  you  have  by  this  time  got  the  report  of  the  mutiny  on  the 
Harvard  and  the  killing  of  eight  and  wounding  of  twenty-five  of  the  Span- 
iards. Jones  from  Auburn  Park,  Hanson  and  I  were  on  guard  with  some 
marines  and  soldiers.  We  heard  the  signal,  a  long-drawn  hiss,  and  in  an 
instant  the  "push"  was  up  and  at  us.  They  had  about  ten  feet  to  come, 
however,  and  not  one  of  them  ever  reached  us.  There  was  a  hot  time  for 
a  few  minutes.  It  was  shoot  as  fast  as  you  could  throw  up  your  gun.  We 
did  not  stop  to  pick  our  men,  but  fired  at  the  crowd;  and  when  a  Winchester 
or  a  Springfield  bullet  hits  a  man  at  ten  or  twelve  feet  he  is  going  to  stop 
and  go  the  other  way. 

There  has  been  a  burial  at  sea  for  the  last  five  days.  When  the  bugle 
sounds  "taps"  over  the  place  where  the  bodies  are  thrown  into  the  sea  it 
seems  to  make  your  blood  come  to  your  face  with  a  rush.  There  is  some- 
thing solemn  in  it,  and  a  man  who  dies  and  is  buried  with  his  country's  flag 
around  him  and  the  bugle  and  guns  to  do  him  honor  is  lucky. 

Town  of  Santiago  Described  by  One  of  Our  Boys. 

Santiago,  August  6. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  climate  here  is  that  it  is  the  hottest  in  the  morning. 
The  sun  rises  hot;  in  fact,  the  heat  is  most  severe  from  sunrise  to  10  A.  M., 
when  the  sea  breezes  set  in  and  make  the  situation  more  endurable.  If  it 
remained  as  hot  all  day  as  it  is  at  9  A.  M.  our  condition  would  be  unbear- 
able indeed.  The  ocean  helps  us  out,  however,  and  by  noon  we  have  a  very 
refreshing  and  cooling  air  stirring. 


636  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES. 

The  sickness  in  the  company  is  on  the  decrease.  On  some  clays  only 
about  half  the  men  were  fit  for  duty,  but  they  are  all  doing  nicely  now. 
The  same  proportion  obtained  throughout  the  whole  regiment.  Not  all 
of  the  disabled  w7ere  sick,  but  some  were  recovering,  wrhile  others  w7ere  sick 
and  thus  we  had  from  25  to  40  per  cent,  of  the  men  under  the  weather,  and 
it  took  those  who  were  well  to  care  for  the  sick. 

I  was  at  Santiago  the  other  day  with  Colonel  Dick.  We  called  on  Gen- 
eral Shafter  and  had  a  very  nice  chat  with  him.  He  showed  us  a  message 
from  the  Secretary  of  War  directing  that  the  Eighth  Ohio  be  closely  isolated 
for  a  period  of  ten  days  and  if  at  the  end  of  that  time  no  yellow  fever  appears 
in  our  ranks  we  are  to  be  put  on  transports  and  sent  away  from  here. 

Santiago  is  a  queer  place.  We  approached  the  city  along  the  road  that 
passes  by  our  camp.  The  street  was  narrow — not  more  than  twenty-five  or 
thirty  feet  wide — not  wider  than  the  paved  portion  of  the  street  in  front 
of  our  house.  Many  are  much  narrower — mere  alleys  in  fact — but  people 
living  all  along  them.  Across  the  streets  trenches  had  been  dug  by  the 
Spanish  troops  and  barbed  wire  netting  in  front  of  the  trenches.  There 
were  many  trenches,  showing  what  preparation  they  had  made  for  a  des- 
perate resistance  to  our  advance.  The  houses  are  nearly  all  one-story  and 
have  brick  or  stone  floors.  Few  have  wood  floors  and  all  seem  dirty.  No 
glass  is  used  in  the  windows,  and  very  little  window  glass  is  seen  in  the 
city.  The  window  openings  are  grated  on  the  outside  and  have  a  sort  of 
portiere  or  wooden  shutters  on  the  inside.  The  streets  are  not  straight,  but 
wind  and  turn  until  one  loses  the  points  of  the  compass.  The  houses  are 
built  out  even  with  the  streets,  no  front  yards  and  no  spaces  between  the 
houses.  Houses  are  mostly  covered  on  the  outside  walls  with  plaster  and 
roofs  of  red  tile.  The  city  is  very  old  and  the  houses  show  it.  We  went  into 
the  cathedral,  an  old  building.  They  rang  the  bells  and  rang  them  again, 
but  so  far  as  we  could  see  no  one  came  to  worship.  The  janitors  and  priests 
lounged  about — the  latter  saluted  us.  We  strolled  all  about  the  interior  of 
the  structure  with  our  spurs  on  our  boots  and  wearing  cartridge  belts  and 
revolvers.  The  American  soldier  goes  about  where  he  pleases  in  the  city. 
Of  course  we  recognized  the  character  of  the  building  and  removed  our  hats 
when  we  went  in.  The  interior  was  adorned  like  most  Catholic  churches, 
with  pictures  and  altars  and  other  regalia  of  the  Catholic  service.  Quite 
a  nice  picture  of  the  Virgin  appears  in  the  ceiling,  and  a  number  of  good 
pictures  are  found  about  the  wralls.  We  also  went  into  the  "palace,"  now 
used  as  General  Shafter's  headquarters.  It  is  one  of  the  best  buildings  in 
the  city,  but  doesn't  compare  with  the  more  ordinary  public  buildings  in 
our  country.  There  are  no  street  cars — few,  if  any  electric  lights,  and  the 
surface  of  many  streets  is  so  rough  and  uneven  that  you  can  have  no  con- 
ception of  them.  The  few  that  are  better  than  others  are  paved  with  cobble- 
stones, but  these  are  few.  Most  streets  are  full  of  loose  stones  and  not 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  537 

paved,  and  little,  if  any,  pretense  at  grading.  The  dirt  lies  in  the  streets 
and  side  streets  are  filthy.  In  fact,  it  looked  to  me  like  the  greater  the  stink 
the  better  the  people  like  it.  My  sense  of  smell  was  too  acute  to  relish  it. 
Our  troops  have  gathered  up  large  numbers  of  Cubans  and  put  them  to 
work  cleaning  up  the  streets,  and  the  prospects  for  cleanliness  are  better. 
I  don't  believe,  however,  that  the  Cuban  and  Spanish  residents  will  profit 
by  it  unless  they  are  absolutely  compelled  to  avoid  throwing  rubbish  in  the 
streets.  They  have  no  cellars  and  no  sewers.  The  people  themselves  have 
very  little  regard  for  the  ordinary  proprieties  of  civilized  life  and  children 
run  stark  naked  on  the  streets. 

The  following  letter  has  been  received  from  Claude  Neis  of  Company 
G,  First  District  of  Columbia  volunteers: 

Santiago  de  Cuba,  Aug.  9,  1898. 

You  said  that  Mr.  Balcke's  son  was  killed  in  Santiago.  If  so,  I  must  say 
that  I  saw  his  ghost  on  the  wayside  in  a  cluster  of  woods.  I  remember  see- 
ing the  name.  His  first  name  was  Charley,  if  I  am  not  mistaken.  I  feel 
very  sorry  to  have  heard  of  his  death,  but  I  know  that  he  perished  for  a  noble 
cause  and  fought  gallantly  as  any  soldier  could. 

Lon  White  is  all  right,  and  this  trip  is  doing  him  a  great  deal  of  good, 
only  he  has  had  an  attack  of  malarial  fever  lately.  It  seems  to  affect  all 
the  boys,  and  if  they  do  not  take  us  out  of  this  place,  since  peace  is  virtually 
declared,  we  all  will  have  a  harder  fight  to  contend  with  the  yellow  fever 
than  we  had  with  the  Spaniards.  It  has  already  broken  out  among  several 
regiments  and  we  have  lost  two  men  already. 

Last  Friday  the  First  battalion  was  ordered  to  guard  the  Spanish 
prisoners,  7,000  in  number,  and  my  four  days'  expedition  with  them  has 
made  me  conceive  very  readily  that  they  are  superior  to  what  I  expected.  I 
made  friends  with  Captain  Garcia,  a  very  fine-looking  man  and  a  very  gentle 
sort  of  a  fellow.  We  were  forbidden  to  talk,  receive  or  give  anything  from 
or  to  them,  but  a  soldier  in  these  circumstances  disobeys  a  minor  order  like 
that.  I  was  invited  to  take  dinner  with  the  captain  and  his  two  lieutenants, 
Menez  and  Hernandez,  two  very  nice  sort  of  Spaniards.  Though  prisoners, 
they  are  more  cordial  than  our  own  officers.  The  bill  of  fare  and  manner 
of  eating  was  as  follows: 

1.  Bean  soup  with  rice,  well  seasoned  with  pepper  a  la  Mexicano. 

2.  Fish,  with  the  best  sauce  ever  tasted  since  I  left  home. 

3.  Fried  eggs  and  potatoes.     (Eggs  in  the  market  here  are  10  cents 
apiece.) 

After  each  intermission  a  glass  of  claret  wine. 

4.  Rice  and  roast  meat  a  la  Francaise. 

5.  Rice  pudding. 


538  PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES. 

6.  Coffee  (Francaise),  bread  and  butter. 

7.  Fruit.    Glass  of  good  Spanish  rum  a  la  rhum. 

I  have  quite  a  few  souvenirs  from  them  and  some  Spanish  buttons  for 
sister. 

We  are  situated  on  top  of  a  mountain  while  the  Spaniards  are  down 
in  the  valley.  They  bring  quite  a  number  of  sick  people  out  every  morning. 

I  have  even  become  so  acquainted  with  the  men  of  the  battalion, 

^Captain  Garcia  commanding,  that  they  call  me  Senor  Neis.  I  have  named 
one,  who  is  the  real  picture  of  an  Irishman  of  the  Mick  type,  "Mickey,"  and 
his  comrades  call  him  such.  They  carry  my  water  for  me  and  seem  to  be 
willing  to  do  anything  I  ask  them.  The  majority  of  them  are  very  illiterate, 
very  few  intelligent  privates,  comparatively  speaking.  I  have  a  young  fellow 
about  my  age  to  teach  English,  and  I  am  attempting  Spanish.  Both  of  us 
are  getting  along  fairly  well.  I  can  make  myself  understood. 

While  I  was  dining  with  Captain  Garcia  his  orderly  was  fanning  the 
flies  away  from  me.  The  country  is  beautiful,  nothing  but  mountains  and 
valleys.  With  American  people  here  it  will  be  worthy  to  have  the  island 
called  the  Gem  of  the  Antilles.  I  can  thank  God  that  I  have  had  the  best 
of  health  and  only  two  of  us  in  the  company  have  not  had  the  fever.  I  seem 
to  have  gained  in  weight  and  full  flushed  in  the  face. 

This  letter  was  written  just  before  the  battle  of  Santiago: 

Ten  Miles  North  of  Baiquiri,  June  29,  1898. 

Dear  Jim:  I  am  writing  this  on  picket.  My  troop  was  sent  to  the  front 
and  we  are  bivouacked  in  the  woods.  Oranges,  lemons  and  cocoanuts  are 
plentiful,  and  every  trooper  has  his  canteen  full  of  lemonade  all  the  time. 
We  were  seventeen  days  on  the  transport,  but  did  not  suffer.  Every  one 
is  in  good  spirits  and  anxious  to  get  at  the  dons.  DICK. 

The  following  breezy  letter  was  written  by  a  Washington  lad  in 
the  trenches  around  Santiago: 

^iboney,  July  7. 

My  Dear  General:  Have  reaiiy  been  too  busy  to  write.  Have  been  in 
a  real  nice,  lively  battle,  and  wasn't  a  bit  scared  and  didn't  run.  The  poor 
old  Twenty-fourth.  Markley  commands  the  regiment  now,  and  temporarily 
the  brigade.  He  is  a  daisy.  He  really  ought  to  get  something.  So  ought 
every  one.  It  was  glorious.  Only  so  many  were  killed  and  wounded.  Poor 
old  Shafter.  Everybody  is  roasting  him  because  he  was  lying  on  his  back 
in  the  rear  having  his  head  rubbed,  which  isn't  my  idea  of  what  a  com- 
mander should  do. 

About  myself:  I  was  upset  by  a  shell  back  of  Grimes'  battery  July  1, 
which  killed  some  people.  Very  miraculous.  Only  I  didn't  get  a  scratch 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  S39 

to  show  for  it,  and,  although  I  most  conscientiously  wished  for  a  bullethole, 
didn't  get  one  the  rest  of  the  fight.  I  overdid  the  business  a  little,  rode  to 
the  rear  twice  that  day  and  back,  and  then  walked  after  they  shot  my  mule. 
Well,  anyway,  July  2  I  was  with  Blank  when  he  was  forced  back  from 
San  Juan  hill.  He  told  me  it  was  the  hottest  fire  any  artillery  has  had  to 
stand  in  modern  times.  Then  he  pulled  out.  Well,  the  fever  came  on  the 
3d,  and  I  have  been  sort  of  half  crazy  ->d  delirious  the  last  four  days.  It 
isn't  yellow  fever,  though,  although  i  probably  will  be.  I'll  cable  if  it  gets 
serious.  Really,  I  have  distinguished  myself,  and,  if  I  pull  out,  may  lead 
a  fairly  decent  life  and  be  rather  a  credit.  If  anything  does  happen  to  me 
I'll  feel  like  such  an  ass  for  not  being  bowled  over  like  a  gentleman  in  the 
battle  last  week.  Love  to  all.  CHARLIE. 

P.  S. — This  is  a  little  disconnected  on  account  of  forty  grains  of  quinine 
to-day. 

Member  of  the  Houston  Post  Rifles  Paints  a  Roseate  Picture. 

Santiago  de  Cuba,  August  6,  1898. 

Dear  Mother:  I  am  now  in  Cuba.  I  like  Santiago;  it  is  much  cooler 
here  than  at  Camp  Caffery. 

The  Cubans  all  talk  Spanish  and  I  am  learning  to  talk  Spanish  fast. 
We  are  now  camped  at  the  city  park  on  the  harbor.  I  saw  the  smoke- 
stack of  the  Merrimac  when  we  came  through  the  neck  of  the  harbor.  The 
Merrimac  was  sunk  right  near  Morro  castle.  Morro  castle  is  almost  at  the 
top  of  a  mountain  and  is  made  of  white  stone.  Santiago  is  surrounded  by 
water  and  mountains.  There  is  not  a  case  of  yellow  fever  here  at  all.  The 
only  kind  of  sickness  here  is  malarial  fever  and  wounded  soldiers.  The  fever 
was  caused  by  laying  in  trenches  for  seventeen  days  during  battle  on  light 
rations. 

I  like  Cuba  better  than  Texas.  I  can  sit  right  here  and  see  where  all 
the  fighting  was  done.  The  Rough  Riders  are  here.  General  Shafter  is  here 
also.  There  are  enough  rations  in  the  city  to  feed  the  volunteer  soldiers 
for  one  year,  and  our  money  is  worth  twice  as  much  as  Spanish  iuoney.  We 
do  not  want  for  anything.  We  get  more  to  eat  here  than  at  Camp  Caffery 
and  have  less  sickness,  and  the  weather  is  not  as  hot  here  as  it  was  there. 
We  have  pretty  brown  duck  and  also  blue  flannel  suits.  It  is  fun  to  see  us 
buy  from  the  Cubans  and  get  the  right  change  back.  The  sailors  that  were 
captured  off  of  Cervera's  fleet  are  here.  They  can  go  anywhere  they  want 
to  in  the  city,  and  the  rest  of  the  Spanish  prisoners  are  here  also,  and  we 
have  charge  of  them.  There  are  about  fifty  or  seventy-five  men  in  the  guard- 
house at  present  for  drinking  rum  and  eating  fruit.  We  can  buy  anything 
we  want  except  liquors  and  fruit.  I  have  seen  a  number  of  Spanish  war 
vessels  that  are  half  sunk,  and  there  are  lots  more  out  of  sight.  On  our  trip 


540  PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES. 

to  Cuba  we  crossed  the  Caribbean  sea.  Tell  Ernest  that  there  is  a  fellow 
here  by  the  name  of  Parsons  that  he  knows.  This  man  Parsons  was  on 
guard  duty  at  the  warehouse  and  a  fellow  came  prowling  around  and  Par- 
sons told  him  to  leave,  but  he  would  not  and  he  charged  bayonets  on  him 
and  run  him  out.  The  next  day  he  found  out  that  this  man  was  his  brother 
that  he  had  not  seen  for  five  years. 

The  poor  class  of  people  are  air  - 1  starved.  They  come  around  and  beg 
scraps  to  eat.  Cuba  has  the  richest  ±and  I  have  ever  seen;  pretty  shade 
trees  and  everything  that  it  takes  to  make  a  country  look  fine.  The  city  of 
Santiago  is  laid  off  like  an  old  Mexican  town.  It  does  not  rain  here  as 
often  as  at  Camp  Caffery  and  not  so  hard.  There  are  lots  of  cocoanut  groves 
around  here  and  no  monkeys.  There  were  only  five  or  six  houses  that  were 
hit  by  the  bombshells  during  the  war.  I  have  a  Cuban  sweetheart  already. 
It  is  nothing  to  see  the  poor  class  half  naked.  Cuban  children  sleep  wher- 
ever night  overtakes  them  and  eat  where  they  can  find  scraps.  The  Red 
Cross  ladies  that  stay  in  the  hospitals  are  so  good  and  kind  to  us.  We  only 
have  to  drill  one  hour  a  day  here.  A  few  of  the  boys  on  the  trip  got  seasick. 
Colonel  Hood  has  water  boiled  every  night  and  next  morning  we  put  ice  in  it 
to  drink.  We  have  fresh  meat  packed  in  ice  shipped  by  the  Armour  Packing 
Company.  Fried  steak  every  morning,  roast  or  stew  for  dinner  and  bacon 
for  supper.  We  eat  lightbread  and  not  hardtack  now.  There  are  a  good 
many  transports  laying  in  the  harbor  here.  There  is  a  basin  here  in  the 
park  like  the  one  in  the  market  house  there  at  home,  which  we  use  to  bathe 
our  face  and  hands  in.  This  letter  might  be  a  long  time  in  coming,  as  the 
boat  does  not  run  regularly.  Well,  I  will  close  for  this  time.  With  much 
love  for  you  and  the  rest,  I  remain  your  affectionate  son, 

PAGE  LIGON. 


By  Lieutenant  Colonel  Nicholas  Senn,  U.  S.  V.,  Chief  of  Operating 
Staff  with  the  Army  in  the  Field  at  Santiago. 

Headquarters  Fifth  Army  Corps,  Before  Santiago,  July  12. 

As  the  hospital  ship  Relief  came  in  sight  of  the  seat  of  war  every  one 
of  its  passengers  watched  with  interest  and  anxiety  the  indications  of  the 
present  status  of  the  conflict.  When  we  sailed  from  Fortress  Monroe  Sim- 
day,  July  3,  fighting  was  in  progress,  and,  not  having  received  information 
of  any  kind  since  that  time,  we  were  impatient  for  news. 

On  reaching  Guantanamo  we  came  in  sight  of  a  number  of  warships 
floating  lazily  on  the  placid  ocean  like  silent  sentinels  some  six  to  eight 
miles  from  the  shore.  The  little  bay  was  crowded  with  empty  transports, 
all  of  which  indicated  that  we  were  not  as  yet  in  possession  of  Santiago. 
The  pilot  of  a  patrol  boat  finally,  in  a  voice  like  that  of  a  foghorn,  com- 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  541 

mnnicated  to  us  the  news  that  the  greater  part  of  the  Spanish  fleet  had  been 
destroyed  and  that  the  Spanish  loss  in  dead,  wounded  and  prisoners  was 
great.  Among  the  most  important  prizes  of  the  naval  battle  was  the  heroic 
admiral  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  who  was  then  a  prisoner  on  board  of  one  of 
the  men-of-war.  The  land  forces  were  near  the  city  making  preparations 
for  the  first  attack.  A  partial  if  not  a  complete  victory  had  been  won,  and 
we  had  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  we  had  not  come  in  vain. 

Red  Cross  Flag  Flying. 

Our  captain  was  directed  to  bring  his  ship  to  anchor  near  Siboney.  When 
we  came  in  sight  of  this  little  mining  town  we  saw  on  shore  rows  of  tents 
over  which  floated  the  Ked  Cross  flag,  showing  us  that  we  had  reached  the 
place  for  which  we  had  been  intended. 

The  little  engine  of  a  narrow-gauge  mining  railroad  was  puffing  and 
screeching  up  and  down  along  the  coast,  conveying  supplies  from  the  land- 
ing to  the  camp.  On  the  side  of  a  hill  were  the  shelter  tents  of  a  company 
of  infantry  on  detail  for  guard  duty.  On  the  crest  of  a  number  of  high 
hills  which  fringe  the  coast  could  be  seen  blockhouses  recently  vacated  by 
the  Spaniards.  A  grove  of  palm  trees  in  a  near  valley  reminded  us  that 
we  had  reached  the  tropical  climate. 

The  steamer  Olivette,  floating  the  Red  Cross  flag,  anchored  near  the 
shore.  Major  Appel,  surgeon  in  charge  of  this  hospital  ship,  was  the  first 
person  to  board  our  vessel,  and  gave  us  the  first  reliable  account  of  the  recent 
battle.  His  appearance  was  enough  to  give  us  an  insight  into  his  experi- 
ences of  the  last  few  days.  He  was  worn  out  by  hard  work  and  his  anxiety 
for  the  many  wounded  under  his  charge. 

The  camp  is  on  the  shore  in  a  limited  plateau  at  the  base  of  the  mountain 
rising  behind  the  little  mining  village.  The  condition  of  the  wounded  men 
furnished  satisfactory  proof  that  good  work  had  been  done  here,  as  well  as 
at  the  front.  On  my  arrival  many  of  the  wounded  had  already  been  placed 
on  board  a  transport  ship,  but  more  than  400  remained  in  the  general  hos- 
pital. 

On  the  whole  the  treatment  to  which  the  wounded  were  subjected  was 
characterized  by  conservatism.  Only  a  very  small  number  of  primary  ampu- 
tations were  performed.  Bullets  that  were  found  lodged  in  the  body  were 
allowed  to  remain  unmolested  unless  they  could  be  removed  readily  and 
without  additional  risk.  A  number  of  cases  of  penetrating  wounds  of  the 
abdomen  and  chest  were  doing  well  without  operative  interference.  Pene- 
trating gunshot  wounds  of  the  skull  were  treated  by  enlarging  the  wound 
of  entrance,  removal  of  detached  fragments  of  bone  and  drainage.  Several 
cases  in  which  a  bullet  passed  through  the  skull,  injuring  only  the  surface 


542  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

of  the  brain,  were  doing  well.    With  a  few  exceptions  wounds  of  the  large 
joints  were  on  a  fine  way  to  recovery  under  the  most  conservative  treatment. 

Bullet  Wounds  Rapidly  Heal. 

A  study  of  the  immense  material  collected  at  the  station  convinced  the 
surgeons  that  the  explosive  effect  of  the  small-caliber  bullet  has  been 
greatly  overestimated.  The  subsequent  employment  of  the  X  ray  in  many 
of  these  cases  will  undoubtedly  confirm  the  results  of  these  observations. 
The  battle  at  Santiago  resulted  in  157  killed  and  over  1,300  wounded.  Nearly 
all  wounds  of  the  soft  parts  heal  rapidly — suppuration  in  these  cases  was 
the  exception,  primary  healing  the  rule. 

The  day  after  my  arrival  I  went  to  the  front,  about  ten  miles  from 
Siboney.  A  colored  orderly  was  my  only  companion.  He  rode  at  a  respectful 
distance  to  the  rear.  The  whole  distance  the  road  was  crowded  with  mule 
teams,  soldiers  and  refugees.  The  latter  made  a  seething  mass  of  humanity 
from  start  to  finish.  At  a  low  estimate  I  must  have  passed  on  that  day  2,000 
souls,  including  men,  women  and  children  and  naked  infants. 

The  day  was  hot  and  the  suffering  of  the  fleeing  inhabitants  of  Santiago, 
the  besieged  city,  and  adjacent  villages,  can  be  better  imagined  than  de- 
scribed. Indian  fashion,  the  wjomen  walked,  while  some  of  the  men  enjoyed 
the  pleasure  of  a  mule  or  donkey  ride.  Most  of  them  were  barefoot  and 
dressed  in  rags;  children  and  infants  naked;  dudes  with  high  collars,  white 
neckties  and  straw  hats  were  few  and  far  between.  An  occasional  old  um- 
brella and  a  well-worn  recently  washed  white  dress  marked  the  ladies  of 
distinction.  Their  earthly  possessions  usually  consisted  of  a  small  bundle 
carried  on  the  head  of  the  women  or  a  wornout  basket  loaded  with  mangoes 
or  cocoanuts.  The  color  of  the  skin  of  the  passing  crowd  presented  many 
tints  from  white  to  jet  black.  The  women  were  noted  for  their  ugliness,  the 
men  for  their  eagerness  to  get  beyond  the  reach  of  guns. 

View  on  Cuban  Soldiers. 

Little  squads  of  Cuban  soldiers  were  encountered  from  time  to  time, 
apparently  anxious  to  get  only  as  far  as  the  rear  of  our  advancing  army. 
These  men  display  an  appearance  of  courage  just  now  that  is  marvelous. 
Before  the  bluecoats  came  here  they  infested  the  inaccessible  jungles  at  a 
safe  distance  from  the  Spanish  guns,  making  an  occasional  midnight  raid  to 
keep  the  Spaniards  on  the  lookout.  Now  they  can  be  seen  on  the  roads 
in  small  groups  relating  to  each  other  how  they  cut  down  the  Spanish 
marines  with  their  national  weapon  on  reaching  the  shore  after  their  vessels 
were  demolished  by  our  navy. 

The  ragged  refugees,  fleeing  in  all  directions  and  mingling  freely  with 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  543 

our  troops,  as  they  do,  carry  with  them  the  filth  of  many  generations  and  a 
rich  supply  of  yellow  fever  germs  which  will  ultimately  kill  more  of  our 
•men  than  will  the  Spanish  soldiers. 

On  reaching  General  Shafter's  headquarters  I  reported  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Pope,  chief  surgeon  of  the  Fifth  army  corps,  for  duty.  At  head- 
quarters is  the  principal  field  hospital,  in  charge  of  Major  Wood,  a  grad- 
uate of  Rush  Medical  College,  ably  assisted  by  Major  Johnson  and  a  corps 
of  acting  assisting  surgeons.  At  the  time  of  my  arrival  sixty-eight  wounded 
officers  and  men  were  under  treatment.  Lieutenant  Pope  has  worked  night 
and  day  since  the  troops  landed  here.  He  has  done  all  in  his  power  to  make 
his  limited  supplies  meet  the  enormous  demands. 

Performs  an  Amputation. 

At  this  hospital  Major  Wood  kindly  invited  me  to  perform  an  amputa- 
tion of  the  thigh  for  gangrene  caused  by  a  gunshot  injury  w.hich  had  frac- 
tured the  lower  portion  of  the  femur,  and  cut  the  popliteal  artery.  Here  I 
found  many  interesting  cases  on  the  way  to  recovery  in  which  the  nature 
of  the  injury  would  have  been  ample  excuse  for  rendering  a  very  grave  prog- 
nosis, among  them  a  number  of  cases  of  penetrating  wounds  of  the  chest  and 
abdomen. 

In  the  afternoon  I  was  accompanied  to  Canea  by  Acting  Assistant  Sur- 
geon Goodfellow.  The  trip  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  taking  charge  of 
sixteen  wounded  Spaniards  we  were  to  transfer  to  the  Spanish  army.  On 
the  way  to  Canea  we  found  many  recent  graves  and  numerous  dead  horses, 
covered  only  with  a  few  inches  of  dirt.  The  stench  from  this  source  was 
almost  unbearable. 

The  little  Adllage  of  Canea  is  located  on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  with  an  old, 
dilapidated  church  as  its  center.  The  public  square  and  the  few  streets  are 
thronged  with  refugees — from  8,000  to  10,000  in  number.  Crowds  of  refugees 
were  also  seen  in  the  woods  around  the  village  gathering  mangoes  and  cocoa- 
nuts,  about  the  only  food  supply  at  the  time.  In  the  only  room  of  the  church 
we  found  a  representative  of  the  Red  Cross  Association  dealing  out  hardtack 
and  flour  to  the  hungry  multitude. 

The  wounded  Spaniards  were  lying  in  a  row  on  the  floor  of  the  church — 
one  of  them  in  a  dying  condition.  All  that  could  be  transported  were  con- 
veyed in  four  ambulances  under  a  small  detachment  of  troops  to  our  fighting 
line.  Here  a  flag  of  truce  was  secured,  which  was  carried  by  an  orderly.  The 
detachment  was  left  behind  and  we  passed  our  line. 

In  Spanish  Lines, 

As  soon  as  the  Spanish  intrenchment  came  in  sight  the  signal  was  given 
and  was  promptly  answered  by  the  enemy.  Two  officers  with  a  flag  of  truce 


544  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

advanced  toward  us,  and  we  were  halted  at  a  little  bridge  very  near  Santiago 
and  below  the  first  intrenchment.  We  were  received  very  courteously  by  the 
officers  and  asked  to  a  seat  upon  the  grass  in  the  shade  of  a  clump  of  trees. 
Rum,  beer  and  cigarettes  were  furnished  for  the  entertainment  of  the  callers. 
The  object  of  our  visit  was  explained,  whereupon  a  hospital  corps  of  about 
thirty  men  with  sixteen  litters  in  charge  of  a  captain  of  the  line  and  a 
medical  officer  made  their  appearance.  The  wounded  were  unloaded  from 
the  ambulances  and  conveyed  in  litters  to  within  the  Spanish  line. 

The  visit  was  such  a  cordial  and  pleasant  one  that  we  found  it  very 
difficult  to  part  from  our  newly  made  friends.  After  bidding  the  officers  a 
hearty  adieu  and  mounting  my  horse  I  was  urged  to  dismount  and  say  an- 
other farewell — a  request  which  was  responded  to  with  pleasure.  The  two 
little  parties  then  separated  and  made  their  way  in  a  slow  and  dignified 
manner  in  the  direction  of  the  respective  breastworks. 

Tells  of  Bombardment. 

The  first  armistice  expired  at  noon  July  11.  In  the  afternoon  a  heavy 
cannonading  commenced  and  was  kept  up  until  late  in  the  evening.  Next 
morning  it  was  resumed,  however,  with  less  vigor.  During  this  bombard- 
ment the  Spaniards  renewed  their  recently  gained  reputation  as  effective 
marksmen.  One  of  our  best  cannon  was  hit  and  literally  lifted  into  the  air. 
An  officer  was  killed  and  a  number  of  men  injured. 

During  the  afternoon,  while  cannonading  was  still  going  on,  I  went  to 
the  front,  but  on  reaching  our  line  the  bombardment  was  discontinued, 
and  under  a  flag  of  truce  the  commanding  generals  met  and  held  a  confer- 
ence. The  result  of  this  interview  remains  a  secret  at  this  hour. 

Major-General  Miles  and  staff  reached  Siboney  yesterday  on  the  steamer 
Yale,  and  to-day  he  proceeded  to  headquarters. 

The  appearance  of  yellow  fever  at  different  places  occupied  by  our  army 
has  made  our  troops  more  anxious  than  ever  to  complete  their  task.  The 
frequent  drenching  rains  and  inadequate  equipments  have  also  done  much 
to  render  the  men  restless  and  anxious  to  fight. 

W.  B.  Collier  of  the  Second  United  States  cavalry,  in  a  letter  dated 
August  3,  describes  his  part  in  the  fight  on  San  Juan  hill  and  the  scene 
when  the  American  flag  was  flung  to  the  breeze  in  captured  Santiago. 
He  says: 

We  have  our  2  o'clock  rains  each  day  and  then  the  sun  comes  out  and 
just  burns.  This  is  a  good  climate  for  snakes,  lizards,  etc.  Many  of  the  boys 
have  died,  but,  thank  God,  I  am  still  in  the  land  of  the  living.  Words  are 
inadequate  to  express  the  feeling  of  pain  and  sickness  when  one  has  the 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  545 

fever.  For  about  a  week  every  bone  in  mj  body  ached  and  I  did  not  care 
much  whether  I  lived  or  not.  The  doctor  shoved  quinine  into  me  by  the 
spoonful  until  my  head  felt  as  if  all  the  bells  in  Chicago  were  ringing  in  it. 
I  could  hear  them,  even  when  delirious.  The  news  that  we  are  to  go  back 
to  the  United  States  in  a  few  weeks  has  saved  many  a  boy's  life. 

Fear  Yellow  Fever. 

I  was  scared  at  first  when  I  was  ordered  to  the  yellow  fever  hospital-  I 
thought  my  time  had  come,  but  they  examined  me  and  pronounced  my  case 
some  other  than  yellow  fever.  The  boys  fear  yellow  jack  like  a  rattlesnake. 
When  I  return  I  will  know  how  to  appreciate  my  country.  I  am  very  weak 
and  sick,  but  I  think  I  will  be  well  in  a  short  time  after  I  get  home.  With 
all  I  have  suffered  I  am  ready  for  more  if  Uncle  Sam  wants  me. 

As  to  the  fight,  our  four  troops  of  the  Second  United  States  cavalry 
were  the  only  mounted  troops  in  Cuba.  We  were  the  staff  escort.  I  tell 
you,  it  is  worth  all  the  trials,  and  hardships,  and  sickness  which  I  under- 
went, when  I  contemplated  the  scene  of  the  surrender  of  Santiago.  When 
Old  Glory  went  up  I  cried  and  felt  ashamed  and  looked  around  to  see  if  any 
of  my  comrades  had  noticed  me.  I  found  they  were  all  crying.  Then  we 
began  to  laugh  and  yell  again  so  we  would  not  be  babies.  I  tell  you,  it  was 
the  proudest  moment  of  my  life. 

Picks  off  Spaniards. 

I  was  in  the  San  Juan  hill  fight.  We  were  used  mostly  as  scouts.  I 
know  there  are  two  or  three  poor  Spaniards  killed  or  in  hospitals.  I  took 
it  coolly  and  just  shot  at  every  Spaniard  I  could  see,  far  or  near.  I  aim  sure 
I  dropped  three.  It  is  quite  ticklish  at  first  to  be  under  fire,  but  the  novelty 
soon  wears  off. 

Just  Before  the  Battle  at  Manila. 

A.  J.  Luther,  second  lieutenant  of  the  First  Colorado  volunteers, 
writes  as  follows,  dated  Camp  Dewey,  July  27: 

You  may  talk  about  your  Cuban  war  and  all  other  wars,  but  you 
may  rest  assured  that  the  Philippine  war  is  no  snap,  either.  All  the  land 
around  us  for  miles  and  miles  is  nothing  but  deep  jungles  and  swampy 
ground.  On  our  west  lies  Manila  bay,  100  yards  from  our  camp.  On  the 
north,  for  four  miles,  to  Manila,  in  fact,  a  jungle  and  swamp,  while  on  the 
east  it  is  swamp  and  on  the  south  more  swamp.  Our  camp  is  on  a  long  strip 


546  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

of  land  between  a  heavy  jungle  on  all  sides.  It  is  a  good  camp,  considering 
the  location  which  is  made  necessary  by  the  position  of  the  Spaniards. 

I  am  reliably  informed  that  the  natives  of  these  islands  are  no  farther 
a(".anced  in  civilization  than  they  were  300  years  ago.  They  live  in  old 
boats  on  the  water,  in  palm  trees,  in  bark  huts,  or  wrherever  they  can  hold 
on  long  enough  to  live.  Their  life  is  one  of  degradation  and  four-fifths  of 
them  have  noxious  diseases.  You  can  imagine  what  a  nasty  mess  we  have 
got  into. 

They  wear  for  dress  very  thin  cheesecloth  and  they  keep  that  scanty 
raiment  as  clean  as  any  class  of  people  on  earth,  but  their  bodies  do  not 
seem  to  amount  to  that  much  trouble  in  their  eyes.  From  the  way  they  take 
care  of  themselves  I  imagine  that  they  consider  their  clothes  the  only  essen- 
tial part  of  their  exterior  that  ought  to  be  kept  clean. 

We  have  not  gone  into  Manila  yet  and  I  cannot  say  just  when  we  will, 
but  you  will  know  through  the  papers  when  we  do.  I  want  you  to  send  me 
•all  the  papers  you  get  hold  of  which  contain  anything  relating  to  the  Manila 
troops.  We  have  a  lot  of  correspondents  with  us  and  between  them  you  can 
glean  all  the  news  of  importance. 

We  have  only  been  called  out  once  since  our  arrival  here  and  nothing 
happened  then.  I  have  been  under  the  enemy's  fire  three  times,  shot  land- 
ing all  around  me.  Major  Moses,  Captain  Taylor,  Captain  Grove  and  Lieu- 
tenant Lister,  with  an  interpreter,  were  detailed  to  make  a  special  recon- 
naissance of  the  country  and  the  position  of  the  enemy.  They  went  within 
300  yards  of  the  Spanish  intrenchments  and  were  sighted  by  the  enemy's 
patrol.  Captain  Taylor  was  standing  on  the  top  of  a  brick  wall  when  they 
let  fly  at  the  party  and  one  bullet  hit  about  ten  inches  under  his  feet. 

The  other  day  I  was  put  in  charge  of  the  company  to  repair  roads  along 
behind  the  insurgents'  line,  and  we  were  only  300  yards  from  the  enemy's 
line  all  the  time,  so  you  can  see  how  near  to  the  jaws  of  danger  we  work. 
Our  camp  is  under  the  range  of  their  big  guns,  but  they  have  never  thrown 
any  shells  into  us  yet. 

While  working  on  the  road  they  kept  up  a  fire  at  us,  however,  and  one 
large  cannonball  plowed  up  the  road  not  twenty-five  feet  away.  It  whistled 
through  the  air  like  a  nail  when  thrown  from  the  hand.  At  the  same  time 
you  could  hear  Mauser  balls  whistling  around  us.  This  is  a  warm  country. 
One  especially  feels  that  way  when  the  bullets  come  zipping  around  as  they 
did  when  wre  were  on  the  road. 

The  insurgents  and  Spaniards  keep  up  continual  volley  firing  all  day 
and  night.  Neither  side  knows  as  much  about  a  gun  as  a  baby.  They  fire 
into  the  air  and  expect  the  balls  to  light  on  the  heads  of  the  enemy.  When 
the  Spaniards  run  up  against  us,  I  think  they  will  find  a  different  game. 
We  won't  play  horse  with  them  nor  shoot  up  into  the  air,  but  will  get 
right  into  direct  aiming  distance  and  make  them  dance. 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  547 

Digging  Graves  in  Cuba — Walter  Zimmer  of  First  Illinois  Volun- 
teers Writes  from  Siboney. 

*vi 
Siboney,  Cuba,  Aug.  17.- 

Dear  Sister  and  Brother:  Received  your  kind  and  welcome  letter  last 
evening  and  was  glad  to  hear  from  you.  We  are  expecting  to  get  back  to 
the  States  any  day,  as  they  are  shipping  the  army  as  fast  as  possible.  I  am 
now  on  a  detail  at  the  yellow  fever  hospital.  This  is  tough  work,  digging 
graves  and  planting  the  dead.  The  men  are  dying  at  the  rate  of  about  ten 
a  day.  A  lot  of  the  boys  in  my  company  died  of  yellow  jack.  I  am  all  right 
at  present. 

We  had  a  lot  of  fun  chasing  Spaniards.  Some  of  them  got  after  a  crowd 
of  Cubans  and  killed  them.  We  scoured  the  woods  and  located  the  Span- 
iards and  fired  a  few  volleys  at  them,  killing  and  wounding  a  number  of 
them. 

Jimmy  Edgar  is  dying.  He  has  been  out  of  his  head  for  a  week.  I 
saw  him  last  night  and  he  did  not  know  me.  Out  of  the  regiment  there  are 
about  400  in  the  hospital.  We  have  a  little  graveyard  on  the  hill  they  call 
the  Chicago  cemetery.  It  is  only  three  weeks  old  and  there  are  about  100 
graves. 

Santiago  is  a  dirty  place.  All  the  sewers  are  on  top  of  the  ground. 
This  is  Siboney,  the  town  we  burned  about  five  weeks  ago  to  keep  out  the 
fever.  I  have  a  few  souvenirs  I  hope  to  take  back  to  the  States  with  me — 
two  Spanish  gold  pieces,  one  machete,  a  Krag  gun,  a  set  of  prayer  beads, 
and  a  piece  of  shell  that  struck  me  in  the  hip.  I  was  laid  up  only  two  days. 
The  shell  struck  a  tree  and  bounded  off,  hitting  me.  The  tree  broke  the  force. 
If  I  ever  get  out  of  Cuba  I  do  not  want  to  see  it  again,  even  on  the  map. 
By  the  time  you  get  this  I  expect  to  be  on  Long  Island,  New  York.  Hinton 
went  back  to  the  States  a  few  days  ago.  Edgar  was  too  weak  to  go.  About 
500  convalescents  went  home,  and  there  are  about  1,000  of  the  boys  here  too 
weak  to  go.  It  is  pretty  tough  to  see  the  boys  dying  here.  Our  detail  has  to 
dig  graves.  My  back  is  nearly  broke  from  digging  and  using  the  pick.  If 
you  do  not  dig  fast  the  major  orders  your  arrest  and  off  to  the  guardhouse 
you  go.  YOUR  BROTHER. 

James  Purcell,  Company  G,  Eleventh  Infantry,  writes  the  following 
interesting  letter: 

Camp  Ponce,  Between  Town  of  Ponce  and  Shipping  Port,  August  6. 

Dear  Ones  and  All :  I  hope  you  received  my  letter  from  Samono  Bay  and 
that  you  are  all  well.  I  am  fine,  as  well  as  ever  I  have  been.  We  arrived 
here  last  Monday  and  landed  on  Tuesday.  We  were  on  the  water  eleven 


548  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

days  and  it  was  a  grand  trip  and  all  enjoyed  it  greatly,  but  it  would  have 
been  much  better  if  we  had  good  food.  What  we  ate  consisted  of  canned 
beef,  hardtack,  canned  beans  and  tomatoes  with  coffee  twice  a  day. 

Well,  now  to  tell  you  something  about  this  place.  It  is  without  excep- 
tion the  prettiest  place  I  ever  saw.  We  have  about  five  hundred  Spanish 
prisoners  here  in  this  camp  and  leave  to-night  by  train  to  cross  the  moun- 
tains and  clear  the  road  for  the  main  body  of  troops,  which  will  advance 
on  San  Juan.  You  will  probably  know  the  outcome  long  before  this  letter 
reaches  you.  We  are  camped  on  the  roadside.  The  thoroughfare  is  mac- 
adamized from  one  end  of  the  island  to  the  other,  and  as  fine  a  road  as  one 
ever  saw.  It  would  be  a  grand  place  to  have  a  bicycle.  Our  camp  is  always 
crowded  with  hungry,  starving  Cuban  men,  women  and  children,  some  of 
them  naked  and  the  rest  only  partially  clothed.  They  will  do  almost  any- 
thing for  our  hardtack,  for  some  of  them  never  had  any  flour,  and  when  we 
purchase  we  have  to  pay  two  cents  for  a  small  roll,  but  while  we  are  in 
camp  we  make  our  own  bread  and  they  go  crazy  for  some  of  it. 

There  is  plenty  of  tobacco  here  and  the  way  we  get  it  is  to  give  one 
hardtack  for  a  cigar.  The  men  and  women  are  all  cigarmakers,  and,  as 
our  commissary  is  not  yet  open,  we  have  to  make  native  cigars.  All  the 
people  here  seem  glad  to  have  the  Americans  take  the  island. 

Wine  and  rum  costs  two  cents  a  drink  and  an  American  dollar  is  worth 
$1.80  in  Spanish  money.  Our  regiment  and  the  Nineteenth  are  the  only 
regiments  of  regular  infantry  on  the  island.  All  others  are  volunteers  ex- 
cepting one  or  two  regiments  of  cavalry  and  artillery,  so  we  are  likely  to 
get  the  brunt  of  all  the  battles.  We  had  a  little  scrimmage  yesterday,  but 
it  did  not  amount  to  much.  Now  I  will  try  to  tell  you  a  little  about  the 
island  before  I  run  out  of  paper.  Cocoanuts  grow  in  abundance  here,  with 
all  other  kinds  of  tropical  fruit.  As  yet  we  have  not  been  near  the  banana 
or  pineapple  district.  The  roads  are  all  shaded  with  trees,  and  if  I  could 
get  at  a  desk  for  a  short  time  I  would  write  a  better  letter.  This  one  is 
only  to  let  you  know  I  am  alive  and  well  and  as  soon  as  the  affair  is  over 
I  think  I'll  buy  a  farm  here, — etc. 

Letters  from  Joe  Bohon. 

Ponce,  Porto  Rico,  Aug.  4,  1898. 

I  suppose  you  know  by  this  time  where  we  are.  I  have  written  several 
times  to  the  folks  and  different  ones,  but  have  received  no  mail  for  twenty 
days. 

We  landed  at  Guanica  July  25  and  were  the  first  troops  on  the  island. 
We  had  considerable  music  from  our  gunboat  escorts  there.  You  could 
see  them  going  over  the  hills  in  droves.  We  stayed  there  three  days,  then 
Company  H  and  one  company  from  Massachusetts  Regiment  marched  to 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  549 

Yauco.  We  looked  for  trouble  there  but  were  disappointed.  We  stayed  there 
three  days,  then  started  to  march  for  Ponce.  It  took  us  two  days  to  come  a 
distance  of  thirty-five  miles.  We  were  in  heavy  marching  order  with  an  extra 
100  rounds  of  ammunition.  Its  weight  was  between  80  and  100  pounds. 

This  is  a  town  of  35,000;  they  have  banks,  electric  lights,  telephones  and 
an  ice  plant.  There  are  some  English-speaking  people  here.  I  was  down 
town  yesterday.  The  hotels  and  restaurants  are  all  run  by  French  people. 
It's  a  wonderful  sight  how  the  natives  respect  us.  They  take  off  their  hats 
and  say  Viva  Americana  (long  live  America).  If  one  of  them  can  get  hold  of 
a  blue  shirt  or  pants  or  a  small  flag  they  are  the  envy  of  every  one  of  their 
people.  Our  company  have  four  with  us  since  we  landed.  They  wash  our 
dishes,  carry  water  and  make  themselves  useful. 

There  are  all  kinds  of  reptiles  and  varmints.  Hamilton  and  I  have  killed 
three  centipedes  in  our  tent.  The  natives  say  their  bite  will  kill,  but  our  doc- 
tors say  not;  several  of  our  boys  have  been  bitten;  none  died  so  far.  A  sol- 
dier of  the  Third  Wisconsin  shot  and  killed  one  of  the  regulars.  The  wealthy 
class  of  people  here  dress  like  us;  have  fine  carriages,  but  their  horses  are  all 
small  and  pace.  They  raise  hogs  and  their  cattle  are  Jerseys.  They  do  all 
their  work  with  oxen  and  large  two-wheeled  carts.  The  oxen  pull  with  their 
horns  and  you  would  wonder  at  the  load  they  pull.  The  poorer  class  of  peo- 
ple are  nothing  better  than  slaves.  From  ten  to  thirty  will  live  in  one  small 
house.  I  have  not  seen  a  window  glass  or  chimney  on  a  house  since  being 
on  the  island.  They  build  their  fires  in  small  stoves  and  cook  their  grub  in 
kettles.  They  raise  bananas,  oranges,  limes,  the  same  as  lemons,  cocoanuts, 
pomegranates,  mangoes,  etc.  They  also  raise  melons,  tomatoes,  cucumbers 
and  such  vegetables.  Think  of  getting  those  things  fresh  the  year  round. 

They  wear  as  few  clothes  as  possible.  You  see  children  as  old  as  four 
years  without  a  stitch  of  clothes  on.  I  mean  the  poor,  and  none  of  the  older 
wear  shoes;  their  endurance  is  wonderful,  and  they  don't  perspire  like  us. 
They  all  smoke  either  cigars  or  cigarettes.  We  see  children  four  years  old 
smoking  cigars.  You  can  buy  as  good  a  cigar  here  for  1  cent  in  their  money  as 
we  can  buy  at  home  for  5  cents.  One  dollar  in  our  money  is  equal  to  two  dol- 
lars in  theirs.  So  we  get  our  smoking  pretty  cheap.  Fruits  are  sold  accord- 
ingly. We  are  to  turn  our  Springfield  guns  in  this  morning  and  get  the 
Krag-Jorgenson;  they  are  much  lighter  and  their  bullets  are  not  near  so 
heavy.  Hope  this  will  be  of  interest  to  you.  Don't  forget  to  send  the  Times 
as  we  have  not  seen  a  paper  since  leaving  Charleston,  Regards  to  all. 

In  the  course  of  an  interesting  letter  written  by  James  Burns  of  the 
Twenty-seventh  battery,  Indiana  volunteers,  to  his  mother,  and  dated 
August  15,  at  Guayama,  Puerto  Kico,  he  said  that  the  news  of 
the  cessation  of  hostilities  was  received  by  courier  only  a  short  time 
before  the  battery  expected  to  get  actively  into  battle.  Most  of  the 


550  PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES. 

boys,  he  said,  were  anxious  to  return  home.  For  himself,  he  expressed 
a  desire  to  remain  for  the  reason  that  the  country  there  is  very  rich,  the 
climate  healthful  and  the  possibilities  to  make  money  in  the  future, 
through  American  push  and  energy,  the  best  in  the  world.  Speaking 
of  the  daily  routine  of  the  battery  boys  he  said: 

Every  man  cooks  his  own  meals  and  we  get  plenty  of  good  food,  such 
as  bacon,  potatoes,  beans,  onions,  hard-tack,  canned  corn  beef,  canned  roast 
beef,  canned  tomatoes  and  the  like.  The  climate  is  the  finest  I  ever  expe- 
rienced. While  the  temperature  is  very  high,  still  the  strong  trade  winds 
render  it  always  agreeable,  the  hottest  day  being  far  more  pleasant  than  at 
home.  Water  is  pure  and  plentiful.  The  country  is  cut  up  every  quarter 
mile  or  so  by  limpid  mountain  streams  and  the  beach  on  this,  the  south  side 
of  the  island,  is  as  fine  as  any  in  the  world.  Palms  abound  in  profusion  and 
the  most  beautiful  flowers  and  ferns  cluster  and  grow  delightfully  every- 
where. The  cocoanut,  mango,  bread-fruit,  banana,  lemon,  lime,  sago,  prickly 
pear,  mangrove  and  bay  trees  grow  luxuriantly  about  our  camp. 

The  natives  here  are  of  small  stature.  They  are  black-haired  and  have 
bright,  sparkling  eyes.  They  are  all  of  a  mixture  of  either  the  French  or 
Spanish  with  the  negro.  There  is  a  large  population  of  French  and  Portu- 
guese, the  pure  Spanish  being  but  little  more  than  one-sixth  of  the  entire 
population.  The  natives  are  a  bright,  intelligent  class.  There  are  few  public 
schools,  education  being  given  to  children  at  their  homes  by  traveling  teach- 
ers and  governesses.  There  are  but  few  Protestants  or  Protestant  churches, 
the  Catholic  being  the  prevailing  religion,  and  their  churches  being  much 
more  magnificent  than  any  you  have  at  home.  The  priests  constitute  the 
ruling  force  among  the  people.  Children  run  naked  until  they  are  six  years 
old.  Every  one  wears  white  linen  clothing  and  most  of  the  people  go  bare- 
footed. The  men  wear  straw  hats  and  the  women  go  with  their  heads  un- 
covered. There  are  not  a  few  English  and  Americans  here,  and  they  scrupu- 
lously maintain  the  Anglo-American  costumes.  News  does  not  reach  us  for 
ten  days  or  more  after  you  read  it  in  the  newspapers  in  the  States.  We  are 
just  reading  the  Indianapolis  papers  of  July  31  and  August  1,  and  the  news  is 
perfectly  fresh  to  us.  The  marriage  rite  here  is  a  very  loose  affair.  A  man 
may  have  one  or  two  families,  as  he  may  elect.  One  of  these  may  include 
the  progeny  of  a  wife  of  his  own  class  and  the  other  by  a  negro  woman  or 
half-breed.  All  he  has  to  do  is  to  pay  the  prescribed  duty. 

There  are  no  bad  fevers  here,  but  small-pox  sometimes  is  prevalent  in 
certain  localities,  although  they  have  not  had  the  scourge  for  three  years. 
Leprosy,  elephantiasis  and  diseases  arising  from  a  bad  condition  of  the  blood 
prevail  to  some  extent.  Ruins  of  sugar  mills  and  plantations  abound  on 
every  side,  once  great  money-producing  establishments,  but  destroyed  by 
Spanish  avarice  and  the  American  tariff.  Cattle-raising,  fruit-growing,  coffee, 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  551 

and  rice  culture  furnish  the  principal  money-making  vocations  in  Porto  Rico. 
There  are  no  railroads  that  amount  to  anything.  The  wagon  roads  are  all 
military  roads  and  the  freighting  is  carried  on  with  pack  mules  and  bull- 
carts.  The  latter  are  of  the  clumsiest  character,  the  yoke  resting  on  the 
horns  of  the  animals  instead  of  upon  their  necks,  as  in  the  old  farm  districts 
in  the  United  States.  They  carry  from  two  to  three  tons  or  more  at  a  load. 
The  horses  and  mules  are  small,  but  willing  and  patient  animals.  The  natives 
are  sharp  traders  and  boys  of  from  six  to  ten  years  of  age  can  drive  close  bar- 
gains. One  of  our  American  dollars  will  purchase  exactly  twice  as  much 
as  a  Spanish  dollar.  The  one  particularly  cheap  product  is  the  cigars. 
"Smokes"  of  a  good  quality  sell  for  one  cent  each.  Bananas  and  lemons  are 
cheap,  and  of  the  latter  fruit  we  partake  plentifully.  Cocoanuts  sell  for 
five  cents  each;  milk,  five  cents;  bread,  twenty  cents,  and  sugar,  four  cents. 
These  prices  are  on  a  basis  of  the  Spanish  money. 

This  letter  was  written  by  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Sixteenth  infan- 
try, five  captains  of  which  led  the  particular  charge  in  which  this  regi- 
ment participated: 

July  24,  1898. 

We  are  in  bivouac  near  our  trenches,  within  half  a  mile  of  Santiago.  The 
fighting  is  all  over  and  we  are  just  waiting  for  something  to  happen.  The 
latest  newspaper  we  have  seen  was  that  of  July  3,  so  you  see  I  write  like 
a  person  of  the  past  generation. 

We  have  had  a  hot  time.  The  Spanish  got  drunk  and  put  up  a  pretty 
good  fight.  At  least  I  have  heard  they  were  all  drunk  in  the  battle  of  the 
1st.  I  don't  know  whether  it  is  true  or  not,  but  I  do  know  that  they  did  not 
run  as  quickly  as  we  wished  them  to  do. 

Firing  Begun. 

We  left  camp  on  the  1st  about  daybreak,  but  we  did  not  know  we  were 
going  into  battle.  We  got  into  the  jungle,  after  marching  for  a  while,  and 
then  heard  firing,  apparently  all  around  us.  Then  our  men  began  to  fall,  and 
we  realized  we  were  in  it.  We  kept  struggling  through  the  dense  under- 
brush, first  to  the  right,  then  to  the  left,  and  then  to  the  front,  as  fast  as 
we  could  find  openings.  Everything  was  confusion.  Orders  could  not  be 
given  or  obeyed.  Companies,  battalions,  regiments  and  brigades  were  all 
jumbled  up. 

We  did  not  fire,  for  we  could  not  see  ten  feet  in  any  direction  on  account 
of  the  dense  thickets  in  the  jungle.  Finally  I  found  myself  with  my  com- 
pany and  part  of  the  regiment  in  a  trail  or  road  by  a  broad,  open  field, 
across  which,  about  700  yards  on  a  steep  bluff,  were  the  Spaniards,  strongly 
entrenched. 


552  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

We  opened  fire  and  kept  it  up  for  a  while,  but  the  road  rapidly  filled  up 
with  our  soldiers,  and  it  became  too  crowded  to  do  anything.  There  was  a 
six-strand  barbed-wire  fence  along  the  hedge  between  the  road  and  the  open. 
All  at  once  we  began  to  try  to  tear  it  down  and  get  at  the  enemy.  Captain 
Leven  C.  Allen,  Captain  W.  C.  McFarland,  Captain  Charles  Noble?,  Captain 
George  Palmer  and  Captain  William  Lassiter  were  close  together  with  their 
companies  (all  of  the  Sixteenth  infantry).  I  was  in  the  front,  just  behind  my 
captain.  Officers  and  men  dashed  savagely  at  the  fence,  tore  it  down  and 
leaped  into  the  open  field,  the  captains  calling  to  their  companies  to  "come 
on!"  "Now  we  have  a  chance  at  them!  Come  on!" 


A  Hail  of  Bullets. 

The  companies,  or  so  much  of  them  as  heard  the  call,  sprang  into  the 
field,  the  men  following  the  five  brave  captains,  and  away  we  went  in  a  ter- 
rible and  most  desperate  charge.  The  bullets  hailed  upon  us,  but  when  the 
old  Sixteenth  gets  its  "mad  up"  there  is  no  use  trying  to  stop  it. 

We  had  about  two  hundred  men  with  us,  five  captains  in  the  front  line. 
But  soon  others  began  to  follow  us,  and  the  field  was  full  of  soldiers,  all 
moving  to  the  front,  firing  as  they  went.  We  saw  the  enemy  jump  and  run 
just  before  we  reached  the  foot  of  the  steep  slope  leading  up  to  the  crest. 
Then  one  of  01  r  batteries  began  firing  over  our  heads,  and  when  we  got 
near  the  top  the  shells  began  striking  the  ground  between  us  and  the  crest, 
out  we  did  not  stop.  On  we  went,  climbing  on  our  hands  and  knees,  when 
suddenly  there  arose  a  great  shout  down  on  the  plain  behind  us.  "Come 
back!  Come  back!"  The  trumpets  sounded  "recall,"  and  our  men,  who  had 
followed  their  captains  so  bravely,  hesitated,  stopped  and  began  drifting 
back  down  the  slope. 

In  vain  our  brave  leaders  swore  at  the  loud-mouthed  skulkers  below. 
They  had  suddenly  become  fearful  for  our  safety — they  were  afraid  we  would 
be  hit  by  our  own  shells.  We  settled  reluctantly  back  near  the  foot  of  the 
slope. 

Allen  Leads  His  Men  On. 

Captain  Allen  told  his  men  to  lie  down  and  get  their  breath.  Then  he 
called  our  attention  to  Captain  McFarland,  who  was  with  some  men  about 
thirty  yards  to  our  right  and  up  on  the  slope.  He  was  waving  his  hat  and  the 
shells  were  bursting  around  him. 

Captain  Allen  called  out  to  us:  "Look  at  Captain  McFarland  and  E 
company!  Who  of  C  company  will  go  with  me  to  the  top  of  the  hill  in  spite 
of  danger?"  We  who  were  near  him  sprang  to  our  feet  and  up  we  went 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  553 


McFarland  Wounded. 

But  Captain  McFarland  had  been  wounded  and  his  men  were  going 
down.  Our  little  group  became  too  small  for  a  further  attack.  "Come 
back!  Come  back!"  was  shouted  from  below.  Captain  Allen  stood  alone 
for  a  minute  and  then  we  went  back  to  the  foot  of  the  slope  and  waited 
until  our  battery  stopped  firing.  Then  we  all  went  forward  again,  and  the 
Sixteenth  infantry  colors  passed  up  to  the  works  and  were  planted  there. 

Color-Bearer  Shot. 

The  color-bearer  was  shot,  but  Corporal  Van  Horn  took  the  flag  and 
carried  it  forward.  Hundreds  of  officers  and  spldiers  of  other  regiments 
came  across  the  field  while  we  were  waiting,  and  they  went  up  with  us. 
And  now  they  all  claim  that  they  were  in  that  charge.  We  men  and  those 
five  captains  I  have  named  know  who  were  in  it,  and  that  our  captains  began 
it  without  orders,  and  we  are  entitled  to  all  the  credit. 

The  fight  was  led  by  captains,  and  no  one  else  of  higher  rank  had  any- 
thing to  do  with  it.  Our  colonel  and  major  now  say  that  they  did  not  see  the 
charge,  and  therefore  can  make  no  recommendations  for  distinguished  gal- 
lantry. Well,  it  is  proposed  to  fight  it  out  and  to  have  our  claims  heard. 

A  Terrible  Fight.  Bancroft  Library 

The  position  we  took  was  San  Juan  and  was  the  key  to  the  Spanish 
position.  We  have  heard  that  there  were  3,000  Spaniards  in  the  works.  I 
do  not  know  what  the  loss  was.  I  know  that  as  I  jumped  over  their  trench 
I  noticed  that  it  was  level  full  of  dead  and  dying  Spanish  soldiers.  It  was 
a  terrible  sight.  We  had  more  fighting  that  afternoon,  and  that  night  we 
moved  forward,  and  the  Sixteenth  entrenched  475  yards  from  the  main  works. 
We  held  this  under  heavy  infantry  fire  and  a  terrible  enfilade  artillery  fire 
all  day  of  the  2d  and  3d,  while  our  right  wing  was  swinging  around  to  en- 
velop the  city. 

Moved  to  the  Right. 

On  the  10th  we  were  moved  to  the  right  wing  and  I  think  it  was  in- 
tended for  us  to  make  an  assault  on  the  city  and  wind  up  the  business.  We 
could  have  done  it  in  fine  shape,  and  all  were  anxious  for  a  chance. 

Our  artillery  got  into  place  on  the  llth  at  4  p.  m.,  and  we  opened  up 
along  the  whole  line  and  soon  silenced  every  gun  and  rifle  they  had. 


564  PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES. 


The  Spanish  Weakened. 

Next  morning  at  daylight  we  resumed  our  work  and  the  Spanish  weak- 
ened. They  did  not  wait  for  the  assault — the  jig  was  up. 

Nearly  half  the  command  is  sick.  We  have  only  short  rations  of  hard 
bread,  bacon  and  coffee.  We  have  no  shelter  except  dog  tents,  and  they  are 
no  good  in  such  a  climate  as  this.  We  have  no  vegetables,  and  of  course  we 
will  all  be  sick.  We  are  living  miserably.  There  are  thousands  of  supplies 
of  all  sorts  in  the  harbor  and  on  the  landing,  but  they  are  not  sent  to  us. 
The  army  is  in  a  disabled  condition  for  want  of  food  and  shelter. 

A  box  of  hardtack  and  a  piece  of  fat  bacon  thrown  on  the  ground  has 
been  considered  enough  for  the  soldiers  and  officers  who  are  in  the  trenches. 
Somebody  will  hear  from  this.  Our  government  intends  its  soldiers  to  be 
well  treated,  but  our  supply  department  here  in  the  field  lack  experience. 
Day  before  yesterday  Clara  Barton  sent  each  company  twenty-five  pounds 
of  corn  meal  and  seventeen  pounds  of  rice.  It  was  a  blessing,  I  tell  you. 
We  all  got  a  spoonful  of  mush,  and  it  was  the  best  thing  I  ever  tasted  in 
my  life. 

If  we  could  only  get  our  rations,  just  the  regular  ration  and  our  tents, 
we  would  be  willing  to  take  our  chances  with  the  climate.  There  will  be 
enough  go  by  the  board,  even  if  we  get  our  supplies.  The  soldiers  have 
fought  bravely  and  won  the  victory. 

Keep  out  of  the  war.  Whole  armies  will  be  lost  by  disease  and  misman- 
agement. If  we  stay  here  under  the  present  layout  not  one  in  four  will 
ever  see  the  United  States  again.  We  could  not  go  into  another  campaign 
now,  and  unless  matters  improve  very  much  we  may  as  well  be  counted  out 
for  the  summer. 


How  a  War  Balloon  Game  Down  after  Being  Pierced  more  than 

Two  Hundred  Times. 

Sergeant  Thomas  C.  Boone  of  company  K,  Second  regiment,  wrote 
a  thrilling;  letter.    Mr.  Boone's  letter  in  part  says: 

I  have  not  told  you  of  my  accidents  before  while  in  Cuba,  because  I  did 
not  care  to  arouse  the  anxiety  of  my  friends  at  home,  and,  although  I  have 
been  unable  to  walk  for  some  time,  still  I  did  not  consider  my  condition 
as  serious  as  the  surgeons  here  claim  it  to  be.  I  will  tell  you  how  I  got 
hurt.  It  was  a  streak  of  continuous  bad  luck.  On  the  1st  of  July  I  went 
up  in  the  balloon  on  the  battlefield  at  7  a.  m.,  and  the  balloon  was  being 
moved  all  over  the  field  when  shot  to  pieces  eighty  yards  from  the  Spanish 


PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES.  555 

line  at  1  p.  m.  We  thought  our  height,  together  with  their  bad  marksman- 
ship, afforded  us  protection.  We  were  badly  mistaken. 

At  least  200  bullets  and  four  shrapnel  shots  went  through  the  inflated 
bag,  allowing  the  gas  to  escape,  and  we  came  down  with  a  rush,  striking 
the  top  of  a  tree  alongside  of  a  creek,  throwing  us  out.  In  falling  I  was 
caught  in  the  abdomen  by  a  point  of  the  anchor  of  the  balloon,  was  sus- 
pended for  a  moment — it  seemed  a  lifetime — then  dropped  into  the  creek, 
with  the  water  up  to  my  shoulders.  I  was  badly  bruised  and  shaken  up, 
but,  owing  to  the  excitement  of  the  time,  I  did  not  notice  the  pain. 

Three  of  our  detachment  were  killed  and  four  wounded  out  of  twenty-one 
men,  which  shows  that  we  were  in  a  pretty  warm  place.  Well,  I  did  not  go 
to  the  hospital  about  my  injury  until  July  14,  and  I  was  then  so  weak  I 
could  scarcely  walk.  The  surgeons  at  the  field  hospital  placed  me  in  an  old 
army  wagon  without  springs  at  9  o'clock  one  night  to  be  taken  to  another 
hospital  seven  miles  away,  over  the  worst  road  in  the  world,  without  doubt. 
We  had  gone  about  half  a  mile  when  the  wagon  turned  completely  over,  the 
wagon  body  catching  my  neck  under  its  side  and  the  corner  of  a  box  striking 
me  in  the  abdomen. 

I  was  unconscious  for  two  hours.  My  neck  is  still  very  sore.  When  I 
regained  consciousness  I  was  placed  in  the  wagon,  but  the  bumping  over 
ruts  and  rocks  fairly  drove  me  mad,  and  I  said  I  could  not  stand  it.  I  was 
told  that  I  could  walk,  which  I  did.  The  wagon  went  on.  I  reached  the 
hospital  at  7  o'clock  the  next  morning  after  a  night  of  agony.  At  this  hos- 
pital I  was  told  that  I  was  injured  internally  and  that  they  could  do  nothing 
for  me,  that  I  would  have  to  go  to  the  United  States  for  an  operation,  and  here 
lam. 

I  hope  to  be  in  Springfield  soon,  but  I  am  as  weak  as  a  child  and  cannot 
walk  fifty  yards.  On  top  of  my  accidents  I  had  a  case  of  bilious  fever  and 
was  shoved  into  the  yellow  fever  hospital  for  several  days.  Bilious  fever 
is  a  nasty  thing,  although  not  dangerous.  There  are  thousands  of  cases  of  it 
in  our  Cuban  army.  It  arises,  I  believe,  from  sleeping  on  the  rain-soaked 
ground  and  in  wet  clothing  night  after  night.  There  was  not  a  day  while 
I  was  in  Cuba,  with  the  exception  of  time  spent  in  the  hospital,  that  I  was 
not  soaked  through  from  rain.  Mosquitoes  at  night  and  flies  during  day 
make  life  unbearable  here.  They  are  a  thousand  times  worse  than  any  I 
ever  saw.  I  am  bitten  from  head  to  foot.  They  bite  clear  through  the 
clothing. 


When  Captain  Capron  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  La  Quasima  Lieu- 
tenant Thomas  became  the  commander  of  the  troop.  He  was  on  the 
point  of  leading  the  fierce  charge  against  the  Spaniards  when  shot 
down  by  a  Mauser  bullet  passing  through  his  right  leg  below  the  knee. 


556  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

He  gives  the  following  interesting  account  of  his  personal  experience 
and  observations: 

Our  trip  from  the  point  of  landing  to  Siboney,  a  distance  of  about 
eleven  miles,  took  about  three  hours,  and  was  over  a  trail  that  was  very 
muddy  in  parts  and  crossed  a  number  of  streams.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Roose- 
velt on  this  trip  had  his  mount,  but  as  we  were  not  mounted  he  walked 
over  the  trail  with  us,  leading  his  horse  along.  That  was  a  simple  act,  but 
it  indicated  a  feeling  of  Comradeship  he  had  for  the  members  of  the  regi- 
ment and  it  touched  a  tender  place  in  the  men's  hearts. 

No  Glimpse  of  Spaniards. 

Lawton's  command  had  gone  over  this  trail  before  us  and  the  Span- 
iards bad  retreated  so  that  we  did  not  get  a  glimpse  of  the  Spaniards  on 
that  march.  A  few  men  who  had  been  ill  on  shipboard  with  measles,  and 
had  recovered  only  a  short  time  before,  were  still  weak  and  had  to  drop 
out  of  the  line,  but  they  reached  Siboney  a  little  while  after  the  main  body  of 
our  regiment  got  there.  We  got  to  Siboney  on  the  evening  of  June  23,  and 
with  our  shelter  tents  were  very  comfortable  until  the  next  morning,  al- 
though it  rained. 

We  were  up  at  4  o'clock,  had  breakfast  at  6,  and  then,  on  the  morning 
of  June  24th  started  from  Siboney  across  a  high  hill  leading  to  La  Quasina, 
where  the  regiment  had  its  first  fight.  The  battle  lasted  two  hours  and 
forty  minutes,  though  to  those  who  took  part  in  it  it  appeared  a  very  much 
shorter  time.  As  we  were  advancing  we  were  constantly  expecting  a  fire 
from  the  Spaniards.  We  were  not  ambushed  at  all. 

After  we  had  gone  about  two  miles  on  that  trail  we  came  across  the  body 
of  a  Cuban,  and  after  that  we  kept  an  especially  sharp  lookout.  Troop  L 
formed  the  advance  guard,  and  we  had  skirmishers  out  ahead  of  us  and  to 
both  the  right  and  left.  The  skirmishers  ahead  of  us  were  about  250  yards 
from  the  main  body  of  our  men,  and  it  was  one  of  these  advanced  skir- 
mishers who  discovered  the  Spaniards.  Thomas  E.  Isbell,  a  Cherokee  from 
Vinita,  I.  T.,  was  the  one  to  make  the  discovery  of  the  Spanish  force.  He 
fired  the  first  shot  in  that  battle  and  dropped  a  Spaniard.  Isbell  was 
wounded  seven  times  and  then  managed  to  walk  back  to  the  field  hospital, 
two  and  a  half  or  three  miles  away,  to  get  his  wounds  dressed. 

Hard  Fighting  Ahead. 

As  soon  as  we  learned  that  the  Spanish  were  in  advance  of  us  we  de- 
ployed the  men  six  feet  apart,  advancing  into  the  firing  line.  The  Spaniards 
had  some  machine  guns  ahead  of  us,  and  our  men  received  the  full  force  of 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  557 

this  fire.  There  was  also  firing  from  the  right  and  the  left.  We  were  at  this 
time  upon  the  knoll  of  a  hill,  the  Spaniards  being  about  us  at  lower  eleva- 
tions. Before  Isbell  discovered  the  Spaniards  a  blockhouse  had  been  seen, 
and  we  knew  what  was  ahead  of  us. 

It  was  probably  half  or  three-quarters  of  an  hour  after  the  firing  began 
that  Captain  Capron  was  killed,  and  perhaps  twenty  minutes  after  that  I  was 
struck  as  we  were  about  to  make  a  charge.  Our  men  had  been  instructed 
to  save  their  ammunition  and  not  shoot  unless  they  saw  something  to  shoot 
at.  Our  men  and  the  Tenth  infantry  afterwards  buried  about  100  Spaniards, 
and  great  numbers  of  their  killed  and  wounded  among  them  were  carried 
to  the  rear,  so  that  the  fire  on  our  side  must  have  been  pretty  accurate. 

When  asked  to  relate  some  of  the  scenes  taking  place  about  him 
before  he  was  struck,  he  replied: 

One  of  the  worst  things  I  saw  was  a  man  shot  while  loading  his  gun. 
The  Spanish  Mauser  bullet  struck  the  magazine  of  his  carbine,  and  going 
through  the  magazine  the  bullet  was  split,  a  part  of  it  going  through  his 
scalp  and  a  part  through  his  neck.  This  was  Private  Whitney,  and  from 
his  neck  down  he  was  a  mass  of  blood.  He  was  taken  back  of  the  firing 
line,  and  had  recovered  before  we  left  Siboney  and  was  again  back  in  the 
ranks. 

Captain  Capron  showed  great  pluck  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  refused 
to  leave  even  when  he  was  mortally  wounded.  We  were  at  that  moment 
deploying  and  lying  down.  He  was  struck  in  the  left  shoulder,  the  ball  com- 
ing out  of  his  abdomen.  He  lived  one  hour  and  fifteen  minutes  after  being 
shot.  He  was  taken  back  to  the  field  hospital  by  some  of  our  men.  About 
twenty  minutes  after  that  a  Mauser  ball  struck  me  in  the  leg. 

Sensation  of  Being  Wounded. 

When  asked  what  the  sensation  was  at  the  time  of  being  wounded 
he  replied: 

My  leg  felt  as  if  it  had  been  struck  by  some  heavy  body.  It  felt  para- 
lyzed, and  then  I  fell  to  the  ground.  There  was  no  great  pain  experienced 
at  the  time,  but  fifteen  minutes  later  the  pain  was  very  great. 

A  very  touching  incident  happened  during  the  fight.  Captain  McClin- 
tock  was  struck  in  the  left  leg,  two  Mauser  bullets  entering  his  leg  just 
above  the  ankle.  A  private  who  had  been  sick  for  some  days,  seeing  Captain 
McClintock  lying  on  the  field,  crawled  up  to  him,  and  lying  beside  the  captain 
between  the  latter  and  the  firing  line,  said:  "Never  mind,  Captain,  I  am 
between  you  and  the  firing  line.  They  can't  hurt  you  now." 

Ed  Culver,  a  Cherokee  Indian,  showed  himself  particularly  brave  dur 


558  PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES. 

ing  the  fight.  He  was  alongside  of  Hamilton  Fish  when  the  latter  was 
shot.  When  Fish  was  hit  he  said:  "I  am  wounded."  Culver  called  back: 
"And  I  am  killed." 

Culver  was  shot  through  the  left  lung,  the  ball  coining  out  of  the  mus- 
cles of  the  back.  He  believed  he  was  dying,  but  said  if  he  was  to  die  he 
would  do  the  Spaniards  as  much  damage  as  possible  before  leaving  this 
world.  He  continued  to  fire,  and  sent  forty-five  bullets  at  the  enemy  before 
being  taken  away.  At  first,  after  receiving  his  wound,  he  was  in  a  dazed 
condition,  but  after  he  recovered  somewhat  he  shot  straight. 

Hamilton  Fish  died  a  few  minutes  after  receiving  his  wound.  I  passed 
him  just  after  he  was  shot,  and  directed  some  of  the  skirmishers  where  to 
move.  He  thought  I  was  speaking  to  him,  and,  raising  himself  on  his  elbow, 
said:  "I  am  wounded;  I  am  wounded!"  and  died  a  few  minutes  after  that. 

We  thought  at  first  that  the  Spaniards  were  using  explosive  bullets,  but 
we  found  they  were  merely  brass-covered  bullets. 

A  detailed  description  of  the  Santiago  fight  is  told  by  the  Gloucester 
crew,  which  was  first  to  sight  Cervera's  fleet  as  it  steamed  out  of  the 
harbor  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  July  3.  Ensign  Sawyer's  letter  reads: 

Last  evening  we  went  into  Guantanamo  and  saw  the  camp  where  our 
marines  had  so  gallantly  held  their  own.  The  Marblehead,  with  McCalla, 
was  there,  also  the  New  York,  the  Iowa  and  that  hero  of  the  battle,  the  Ore- 
gon. The  Gloucester  also  was  there. 

The  greatest  desire  naturally  possessed  us  to  hear  the  details  of  the 
wonderful  battle  in  which  the  Cape  Verde  fleet  was  destroyed.  The  Glouces- 
ter's story,  though  we  had  but  a  few  moments,  was  most  interesting  so  far 
as  we  have  heard.  She  was  lying  closest  to  the  entrance,  and  had  just 
finished  Sunday  morning  inspection  when  the  lookout  hailed:  "They're  com- 
ing out!" 

Order  of  the  Exit. 

Instantly  all  eyes  were  directed  on  the  familiar  harbor  mouth,  and  they 
could  hardly  believe  their  eyes  to  see  those  magnificent  ships  standing  out 
in  broad  daylight.  The  Maria  Teresa,  Vizcaya,  Oquendo  and  Colon  swung 
to  the  windward,  and  not  a  shot  was  fired  at  the  Gloucester.  Evidently  she 
was  too  small  to  waste  shell  on,  or  else  all  eyes  were  on  the  larger  vessels. 
Following  those  grand  ships  came  the  destroyers  Pluton  and  Furor,  which 
have  been  so  much  dreaded.  The  Gloucester  immediately  stood  fot  them 
full  speed  and  opened  fire,  the  Pluton  and  Furor  firing  rapidly,  but  not  strik- 
ing. The  Gloucester  finally  got  in  between  them  and  rained  shell  upon 
them  from  her  rapid-fire  guns.  The  Iowa  also  let  go  her  battery,  and  one  of 
her  large  shells  literally  tore  the  stern  out  of  the  Furor.  The  Gloucester 


PERSONAL    REMINISCENCES.  559 

simply  overwhelmed  the  Pluton  with  her  shells,  and  a  white  flag  was  shown, 
whereupon  Lieutenant  Wood  went  over  as  quickly  as  possible  to  save  the 
lives  of  the  crew.  She  was  a  perfect  hell  on  board.  On  fire  below,  one  en- 
gine was  still  going,  and  there  were  only  eight  men  not  killed.  He  put  these 
in  the  boat,  tried  to  go  below  to  save  the  vessel  if  possible,  but  could  not 
on  account  of  the  fire.  The  boat  shoved  off  to  transfer  the  men  to  his  vessel, 
when  the  Pluton  blew  up  with  a  terrible  explosion  and  sank.  The  boat  was 
just  a  few  feet  clear  when  the  magazine  or  boilers  exploded. 

Meantime  the  armored  cruisers  of  the  enemy  stood  to  the  west  and  were 
engaged  by  the  Brooklyn,  Oregon,  Texas,  Indiana  and  Iowa.  The  Maria 
Teresa  and  Oquendo  were  run  ashore,  burning  fiercely,  five  and  one-half  or 
six  miles  west  of  the  harbor.  The  Vizcaya  and  Colon  engaged  in  a  running 
fight  with  the  Oregon,  Texas  and  Brooklyn,  but  the  first  was  practically 
destroyed  and  run  ashore  thirty-four  miles  west,  and  the  latter  surrendered 
sixty  miles  west  of  Santiago. 

It  was  a  terrible  battle,  and  our  escape  from  terrible  loss  is  nothing 
short  of  miraculous.  The  Spaniards  were  really  fighting  four  ships  against 
five,  and  the  superiority  of  the  Americans  was  due  more  to  their  skill  than 
material.  If  the  Americans  had  manned  Cervera's  fleet  the  victory  would 
have  been  ours  just  the  same. 

The  Massachusetts  and  Newark  were  at  Guantanamo  coaling.  The  New 
York  had  gone  five  miles  farther  to  the  east  than  her  usual  station  to  allow 
the  admiral  to  communicate  with  Shafter.  The  Oregon  distinguished  her- 
self by  overhauling  and  passing  the  Brooklyn  and  forced  the  Colon's  sur- 
render. We  have  not  yet  seen  any  of  the  fellows  on  the  vessels  that  took 
part  in  the  pursuit. 

Our  heavy  work  now  commences  in  landing  troops.  The  First  Illinois, 
under  Colonel  Turner,  is  among  our  convoy,  and  if  the  boys  fight  the  way 
they  cheer  there  will  be  no  question  of  the  result. 


560  THE    PEACE    COMMISSION. 


The  Peace  Commission. 

President  McKinley  appointed  William  R.  Day,  Secretary  of  State; 
George  Gray,  United  States  Senator  from  Delaware;  Cushman  K.  Davis, 
United  States  Senator  from  Minnesota;  William  P.  Frye,  United  States 
Senator  from  Maine,  and  Whitelaw  Eeid,  formerly  United  States  Min- 
ister to  France,  to  represent  the  United  States  at  the  Paris  conference. 
The  Spanish  commissioners  being  Excmo  Sr.  D.  E.  Montero  Rios,  Presi- 
dent; Excmo  Sr.  D.  Wenceslao  Ranirez  De  Villaurrutia;  Excmo  Sr. 
D.  Buenaventura  Abarzuza;  Excmo  Sr.  General  Cerero;  Excmo  Sr.  D. 
Jose  Garnica. 

The  United  States  commissioners  do  not  have  to  be  confirmed  by 
the  Senate,  as  is  usually  the  case  with  presidential  appointments. 

Peace  Reigns. 

Nearly  a  quarter  of  a  million  soldiers  again  resume  civil  life — a 
nation  of  fighters  when  called  upon  to  protect  the  Stars  and  Stripes, 
yet  as  kind  and  considerate  as  a  brother  when  strife  ceases.  Many  of 
our  brave  soldiers  left  our  shores  never  to  return — some  were  killed  in 
battle;  some  were  stricken  down  with  fever;  others  who  were  at  the 
front  and  saw  Old  Glory  proudly  afloat  over  the  once  helpless  and  down- 
trodden subjects  of  Spain  started  homeward  but  failed  to  reach  their 
loved  ones  through  disease  contracted  while  performing  their  duties 
on  the  field  of  battle.  Such  is  War.  The  whole  nation  will  cherish 
the  memory  of  the  dead  and  ever  extend  gratitude  to  those  who  safely 
returned. 


